Heart & Brain

Heart, Brain and Everyday Nutrition

Browse omega-3, coenzyme Q10 and selected nutrients for everyday wellness routines. Compare ingredients, sources, serving formats and product-label directions before choosing.

Always follow the directions and warnings on the product label. Food supplements should not replace a varied, balanced diet and healthy lifestyle.

Frequently asked questions

How much EPA and DHA should an omega-3 product provide?

Read the EPA and DHA amounts rather than the total fish oil weight — a 1000 mg capsule may contain only 300 mg of actual omega-3. Under EU-authorised claims, DHA and EPA contribute to the maintenance of normal heart function at 250 mg of DHA plus EPA daily, and DHA alone contributes to maintenance of normal brain function and vision at 250 mg daily.

Fish oil, krill or algae?

Fish oil is the best-studied and cheapest per gram of omega-3. Krill oil binds omega-3 to phospholipids and is claimed to absorb better, at notably higher cost and with a shellfish allergen. Algae oil is the vegan source and supplies DHA directly — genuinely equivalent, and where fish get theirs from originally.

Does my omega-3 need to be refrigerated?

Check the label. Omega-3 oils oxidise with heat, light and air, and rancid oil is the usual reason capsules taste or smell fishy. Store as directed, buy sizes you will finish, and treat a strong fishy aftertaste as a sign the oil has gone off rather than something to push through.

Should I take Q10 as ubiquinone or ubiquinol?

Ubiquinone is the oxidised, more stable and cheaper form; ubiquinol is the reduced form, marketed as better absorbed and priced accordingly. Your body converts between the two. Q10 has no authorised EU health claim, so product pages describe composition rather than effects. Worth knowing: statin medication lowers Q10 levels, which is why many people first hear about it from their doctor.

Can I take omega-3 with blood-thinning medication?

Ask your doctor. Omega-3 at higher doses can affect platelet function, and the interaction with anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs is a real consideration — as is stopping before planned surgery. This is not a case for judging it yourself.