Is fish oil good for sport?
Answer
There is no performance, recovery or joint claim for omega 3. The one claim is normal heart function at 250mg a day. The honest case is dietary rather than sporting.
Key takeaways
- Is there a performance claim?
- No. No performance, recovery, joint, inflammation or soreness claim exists for omega 3 at any dose.
- What does it claim?
- That EPA and DHA contribute to the normal function of the heart at 250mg combined a day.
- Why take it?
- Because most club players eat no oily fish, and UK advice is at least one portion a week.
What the register says
One claim realistically applies to a standard strength fish oil. EPA and DHA contribute to the normal function of the heart, at a daily intake of 250mg of combined EPA and DHA.
There is no performance claim, no recovery claim, no joint claim and no inflammation claim. The DHA brain and vision claims each need 250mg of DHA alone, which standard strength products do not reach.
The honest case
UK advice is at least one portion of oily fish a week and average intake falls well short of it, with club rugby squads at close to none.
Futuro Labs Omega 3 Fish Oil provides 180mg EPA and 120mg DHA in one mini softgel, which is 300mg combined and clears the threshold at a single capsule for 17p a day. A gap being closed is a better reason than any sports framing, and it is the one this site uses.
The full version
- Omega 3 for rugby playersThe claims, the club diet problem and how to read a label.
- Omega 3 when there is no oily fish in your dietHow a supplement compares to eating the fish.
The product
Futuro Labs Omega 3 Fish Oil
Futuro Labs Omega 3 Fish Oil is the 180mg EPA and 120mg DHA one at 17p a day. One mini softgel gives 300mg combined, clearing the 250mg threshold for the authorised heart claim.
- 300mg combined EPA and DHA per softgel
- Batch tested to ISO 17025 standards
- Deodorised mini softgel, one a day
- Bovine gelatin shell, not vegetarian
Sharper Rugby is published by Futuro Labs. If you buy through this link Futuro Labs earns from the sale. Prices are set by Amazon.
Questions players ask
Does fish oil improve performance?
No authorised performance claim exists at any dose.
Does it help joints?
No. There is no authorised joint claim for omega 3.
What is the real reason to take it?
The dietary gap, since most club players eat no oily fish.
Does it help soreness?
No claim covers soreness for omega 3 at any dose.
Is the DHA claim met?
No. That needs 250mg of DHA alone and a standard product provides about 120mg.
How does it compare to eating fish?
One portion of mackerel provides more combined EPA and DHA than a week of standard softgels.