Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega Fish Oil Review: Is This Premium Omega-3 Worth It?

Looking for a fish oil supplement that delivers on its omega-3 promises without the dreaded fishy burps? The Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega has been a top recommendation from doctors and supplement enthusiasts for years.

The Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega is a premium fish oil supplement delivering 1,280 mg of total omega-3 fatty acids per serving. It contains 650 mg of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and 450 mg of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), the two most important omega-3s for heart and brain health.

I’ve been taking this omega-3 supplement for several weeks to evaluate its quality, taste, and effectiveness. As someone who’s tried various fish oil products over the years, I wanted to see if this dietary supplement lived up to its reputation as the number one selling fish oil brand in the US.

The short verdict? It delivers on quality and taste, though you’ll pay a premium for the Nordic Naturals name. Here’s what you need to know before deciding if it’s right for you.

What I Liked

Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega impressed me in several key areas during my testing. Here’s what stood out about this fish oil supplement.

High EPA and DHA Content

The Ultimate Omega delivers 650 mg of EPA and 450 mg of DHA per two-softgel serving, totaling 1,280 mg of omega-3 fatty acids. These are the two most beneficial forms of omega-3s for your body, supporting heart health, brain function, and reducing inflammation.

Most health organizations recommend at least 500 mg of combined EPA and DHA daily. With this product, you’re getting more than double that amount, meeting the daily recommended dose suggested by the American Heart Association.

Triglyceride Form for Better Absorption

Not all fish oils are created equal when it comes to absorption. Nordic Naturals uses the triglyceride molecular form, which is the same form naturally found in fish. This matters because your body absorbs triglyceride-form omega-3s more efficiently than the cheaper ethyl ester form used by many competitors.

In the YouTube review, this was highlighted as one of the three essential criteria for choosing a quality fish oil. If your body can’t absorb the omega-3s properly, you’re not getting the full benefit regardless of the dose.

No Fishy Aftertaste or Burps

One of the most common complaints about fish oil supplements is the unpleasant fishy aftertaste and burping. The Ultimate Omega uses a natural lemon flavor that effectively masks any fishiness. The soft gels don’t smell like fish at all—they actually have a pleasant, sweet lemon scent.

In my experience, I didn’t have any issues with fishy burps when taking these pills. This is a significant advantage over budget fish oil products that can make taking your daily omega-3s an unpleasant experience.

Third-Party Tested for Purity

Quality matters with fish oil because poorly processed products can contain contaminants like mercury, PCBs, and dioxins. Nordic Naturals addresses this concern with third-party testing of every batch for purity and freshness.

The company is also transparent about their testing results. They provide certificates of analysis that verify each batch meets strict standards for contaminants—exceeding both US Pharmacopeia and European Union requirements.

Wild-Caught Sustainable Fish

The fish oil is sourced from 100% wild-caught sardines and anchovies. These smaller fish species accumulate fewer toxins than larger predatory fish, making them an ideal source for fish oil supplements.

Nordic Naturals has also earned Friend of the Sea certification for their sustainable fishing practices. If environmental impact matters to you, this is a brand that takes sustainability seriously. They use non-GMO ingredients with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.

What Needs Improvement

No product is perfect, and the Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega has a few drawbacks worth considering before you buy.

Premium Price Point

The most common criticism of Nordic Naturals is the price. At around $64 for a 90-serving bottle, you’re paying approximately $0.70-1.00 per serving. Competitors like Sports Research offer similar potency with IFOS certification for roughly one-third the cost.

If you’re on a tight budget, there are quality alternatives that deliver comparable EPA and DHA content at a lower price. The premium you pay is partly for the Nordic Naturals brand reputation and their commitment to transparency.

No IFOS Certification

While Nordic Naturals conducts third-party testing, they lack IFOS (International Fish Oil Standards) certification—a credential that competitors like Sports Research, Viva Naturals, and Carlson prominently display.

Nordic Naturals argues their batch-specific certificates of analysis provide equivalent assurance. However, some consumers specifically seek IFOS certification as an independent third-party validation of purity and potency.

Large Softgel Size

The softgels are larger than average vitamin pills, which some users find challenging to swallow. The recommended dose of two soft gels per day means swallowing two of these larger capsules.

If you struggle with swallowing pills, Nordic Naturals does offer a liquid version of Ultimate Omega that provides even higher potency per serving. The capsule size is manageable for most people, especially when taken with plenty of water or food.

How It Compares

Feature	Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega	Sports Research Triple Strength	Viva Naturals Triple Strength	Carlson Elite Omega-3
Price/Serving	~$0.60	~$0.30	~$0.45	~$0.40
Total Omega-3/Serving	1,280 mg	1,250 mg	2,200 mg	1,600 mg
EPA	650 mg	690 mg	1,400 mg	800 mg
DHA	450 mg	360 mg	480 mg	500 mg
Serving Size	2 softgels	1 softgel	2 softgels	1 tsp (liquid)
Form	Triglyceride	Triglyceride	Triglyceride	Triglyceride
Certifications	USP verified	IFOS 5-star	IFOS + Labdoor	IFOS
Best For	Brand trust + taste	Budget + quality	Max EPA/DHA dose	Norwegian sourcing

The omega-3 fish oil market offers several quality alternatives to Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega. Here’s how this product stacks up against the competition.

vs Sports Research Triple Strength Omega-3

Sports Research delivers 1,250 mg of omega-3 per single softgel—comparable to Nordic Naturals’ two-softgel serving. The key difference? Sports Research holds a five-star IFOS certification and costs roughly one-third the price at $0.28-0.33 per serving.

Both use triglyceride form and wild-caught fish. If you’re budget-conscious but still want quality fish oil, Sports Research is hard to beat.

vs Viva Naturals Triple Strength

Viva Naturals offers higher total omega-3 content at 2,500 mg per serving with 1,400 mg EPA and 480 mg DHA. They hold both IFOS and Labdoor certifications and use enteric-coated softgels designed to prevent fishy burps.

The premium is justified for those who need higher doses or want maximum third-party certification coverage.

vs Carlson Elite Omega-3 Gems

Carlson is another respected brand offering IFOS-certified omega-3s from wild-caught Norwegian fish. They use similar lemon flavoring to Nordic Naturals and are typically priced more competitively.

For those specifically wanting Norwegian fish sourcing with independent certification, Carlson offers strong value.

The Nordic Naturals Advantage

Where Nordic Naturals stands out is brand reputation and transparency. They’ve built trust over years as the number one selling fish oil in the US. Their batch-specific certificates of analysis and commitment to quality resonate with consumers willing to pay premium prices for peace of mind.

Final Verdict

Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega earns a 4.3 out of 5 rating. It’s a premium fish oil supplement that delivers on quality, taste, and absorption—but the price premium may not be justified for everyone.

The high EPA and DHA content, triglyceride form, and lack of fishy burps make this an excellent choice for those who’ve had negative experiences with cheaper fish oil products. The transparency around testing and commitment to sustainability add to its appeal for health-conscious consumers.

However, the price is significantly higher than competitors offering comparable or even superior specifications with IFOS certification. If budget is a concern, alternatives like Sports Research deliver similar quality at a fraction of the cost.

Bottom line: Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega is a quality omega-3 supplement worthy of its reputation. You’re paying a premium for brand trust and pleasant daily use experience. If those factors matter to you, it’s money well spent.