{"id":627421,"date":"2024-03-13T13:35:29","date_gmt":"2024-03-13T17:35:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=627421"},"modified":"2026-04-08T11:06:40","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T15:06:40","slug":"best-time-to-take-fish-oil","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/best-time-to-take-fish-oil\/","title":{"rendered":"When is the best time to take fish oil?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fish oil supplements are a worldwide, multibillion-dollar industry, but their roots are in an unlikely place: Greenland. In the 1970s and \u201880s, researchers studied the island\u2019s indigenous Inuit population. The Inuit had comparatively low death rates from heart disease despite a diet that was similar to Danish and American diets in terms of fat consumption. A closer<\/span> investigation<\/span> revealed the difference: The fat in the Inuit diet came largely from whale blubber and seal fat\u2014in other words, fish oil.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ever since the first clinical trials showing a link between fish oil supplements and heart health <\/span>were published<\/span> in the 1990s, research has unearthed many other health benefits. Fish oil contains essential omega-3 fatty acids, which play an important role in the structure of human cell membranes and have anti-inflammatory properties, according to the <\/span>National Institutes of Health.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cBecause our diet does not include food sources such as fish and seafood in adequate amounts,\u201d says <\/span>Joseph Maroon, MD, FACS<\/span>, the vice chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery and Heindl Scholar in Neuroscience at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, \u201cthe majority of our population is deficient in omega-3 fatty acids.\u201d Because of that, many Americans turn to fish oil supplements to make up the difference.<\/span><\/p>\n

Supplements can be tricky, and many people wonder how to find a quality product, how much to take, and when to take it. Read on to learn more about fish oil supplementation.<\/span><\/p>\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\tFish oil 1000 mg (90 Capsules)\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t23663 - Hampton, VA\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\"Food\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t$12.09\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\"Publix\"\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t$13.88\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\ti<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\tPrice with signup<\/a>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tGet free coupon<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\tSee Fish oil prices at all pharmacies<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\n

When is the best time to take fish oil?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Experts say it is important to take fish oil supplements regularly and with food (especially foods containing fat to help with absorption) to provide the most effective health benefits and have the lowest risk of side effects. However, there is no scientific evidence that fish oil is more effective when taken in the morning versus at night. There may be individual reasons why someone would prefer to take supplements at a specific time of day, though.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here are a few factors to consider when determining when to take your daily dose of fish oil supplement.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take it daily. <\/b>Taking any supplement at the same time each day helps it become a habit, so you\u2019re less likely to miss a dose. \u201cAs with any nutrient, fish oil needs to be continually provided to the body as it is used daily for metabolic functions,\u201d Dr. Maroon says. You should pick a time when you\u2019ll remember to take it, whether that\u2019s in the morning or at bedtime.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take it with meals. <\/b>A past study<\/span><\/a> found that a fat-containing meal may aid the body\u2019s ability to absorb omega-3 fatty acid supplements. However, newer formulations of fish oil supplements are <\/span>efficiently absorbed<\/span><\/a> even when taking them without food<\/span><\/p>\n

However, beyond aiding in absorption, taking fish oil capsules with food can reduce upset stomach, indigestion, and \u201cfishy burps,\u201d says <\/span>Gregory Shearer, Ph.D.<\/span><\/a>, professor of nutrition and physiology at Penn State University.<\/span><\/p>\n

Take it earlier in the day. <\/b>The most common side effects of fish oil supplements are fishy burps and an upset stomach, but <\/span>a small study<\/span><\/a> did find that insomnia could be exacerbated. If you are worried about the medication interfering with your sleep, take it in the morning. Also, if you are prone to GI issues, such as acid reflux or GERD, you may want to take the supplement earlier so the burps or indigestion doesn\u2019t prevent you from falling asleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

Aside from if you are trying to get better z\u2019s, <\/span>when<\/span><\/i> you take fish oil is not influenced by the reason you are taking the supplement. This means that the time of day doesn\u2019t make a difference if you\u2019re taking it for inflammation, to lower cholesterol and triglycerides, or any of the other numerous potential benefits of omega-3s.<\/span><\/p>\n

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