Pricey Prescription Fish Oil...Worth It?

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By Heather Reese

Summary

Fish oil is sold as a dietary supplement, but now it comes as a prescription, too.

Story Published: May 13, 2009 at 4:44 PM PST

Almost 800,000 people are expected to have their first heart attack this year. Along with traditional medicine such as statins, omega-3 oils found in fish have been shown to help prevent heart disease. Fish oil is sold as a dietary supplement, but now it comes as a prescription, too. Lovaza is one of the first supplements to be offered as a prescription. Lovaza has a concentrated amount of fish oil, so if you need to take a high dose to lower your triglycerides, you can do so by taking fewer pills, which is more convenient. But Consumer Reports says Lovaza is expensive, costing roughly $160 a month. And even people with existing heart disease don't usually need the high dose it offers.

The American Heart Association recommends one gram of omega-3s per day for people with existing heart disease. You can easily get that much from one or two capsules of a fish oil supplement.

In picking a supplement, you do need to choose carefully. Consumer Reports recommends picking a brand that is labeled "USP Verified." That means it has been tested by the U.S. Pharmacopeia for purity and potency, so you know you're getting oil that's free of mercury and other contaminants. Choosing a supplement for as little as $10 a month will keep your wallet healthy along with your heart!

If you choose to get your omega-3s from eating fish, you want to be sure to avoid fish that contains too much mercury. Consumer Reports says stick with options such as wild salmon, tilapia, and sardines, because they have plenty of healthy omega-3s and low levels of mercury.