Performance Lab Omega 3 Review
We review the newest addition to the Performance Lab core range, the ultra-clean, 3 years in the making, vegan Omega-3 from Algae supplement by Opti-Nutra.
Get 10% off your first order with code: PLAB10
In this review we cover:
» Performance Lab Omega-3 overview
» Ingredients
» The pros and cons
» How to take (dosage)
» What are the health benefits of Omega-3s?
» Is Performance Lab Omega-3 the best? Spoiler alert… YES!
» Did I feel any benefits?
» Should you take Performance Lab Omega-3?
» Conclusion
Performance Lab Omega-3 overview
Omega-3 is a premium supplement made with 100% plant-based algae-sourced Omega-3s. Unlike many other Omega-3 supplements on the market, Performance Lab sources it's Omega-3s directly from Algae. The result is a much cleaner, safer and more effective alternative to fish oil in a precise and potent dose. Perhaps the best part of all is that by cutting out the middle man or fish in this case, you also get rid of the nasty fishy aftertaste and smell often associated with fish oil supplements.
Ingredients
Much like with all of the performance Lab supplements by Opti-Nutra, the ingredients list is minimal and every ingredient is active, right down to their trademark NutriGels®
Omega-3 is vegan approved, contains NO soy, egg, fish, shellfish, dairy, peanut or wheat, is non-GMO and non-irradiated, is gluten-free and doesn't contain any synthetic additives, caffeine, artificial colors or preservatives. It's also banned substance tested - an important consideration for athletes and/or those that compete at a professional level.
The ingredients
Algal Oil (From life’s™OMEGA 60) 2000mg †
Total Omega-3 Fatty Acids 1100mg †
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) 600mg †
EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) 300mg †
Other Ingredients: NutriGels® Vegan Softgel (Modified Tapioca Starch, Glycerin, Purified Water)
Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calories per day diet.
† Daily Value not established.
The pros
Let’s start with all the good stuff. Of which there is a LOT!
PL Omega-3 uses only research-backed ingredients scientifically proven to have a variety of health benefits.
Life's™ OMEGA, the main ingredient provides all of the advantages of marine Omega-3's but in a much cleaner and more sustainable algal form.
Uses potent and precise doses.
Omega-3 is one of the most researched and evidence-backed nutrients for better overall health and performance.
Is vegan approved, contains NO soy, egg, fish, shellfish, dairy, peanut or wheat, is non-GMO and non-irradiated, is gluten-free and doesn't contain any synthetic additives, caffeine, artificial colors or preservatives.
Contains only active ingredients.
Is banned substance tested. An important consideration for athletes and those that compete at a professional level.
Supplies a natural and idyllic 2:1 ratio of DHA to EPA.
Has zero fishy aftertaste/smell and is easily digestible.
BPA-free bottles are manufactured from 20% post-consumer content and are 100% recyclable.
Eco-conscious shipping practices, including using recyclable shipping boxes and biodegradable packing.
Has been shown to be as much as 70% more absorbable than synthetic Omega 3 Acid Ethyl esters.
Is 100% free from the heavy metals and potentially harmful contaminants sometimes found in ocean sourced fish oil supplements.
Delivered in easy-to-swallow natural NutriGels®, the world’s first vegan soft-gel.
Fast and secure checkout with speedy Worldwide Shipping.
You can save up to 33% when buying in bulk.
Comes with a 30-day Performance Promise. That means that If you don’t see positive results within 30 days, they’ll refund your money in full. No questions asked.
I had a great customer experience. They were very attentive and answered all the questions I had regarding the product and ingredients.
The cons
When it comes to performance Lab, I rarely find too much to complain about. However, I have come up with one or two cons:
Due to the popularity of their products and the rapid growth of Performance Lab, they often struggle to keep up with the high demand and on occasion run out of stock on certain products.
Premium Price. At $39/€34 for a 1 Month Supply, it's certainly not cheap. That said, I certainly wouldn't recommend wasting your money buying inferior quality marine sourced products. The fish-free burps are worth every extra penny!
Only available for purchase directly from Performance Lab
How to take (dosage)
Performance Lab recommends taking 2 Soft-gels per day and for best results suggests taking it consistently for a period of time. For advanced usage guidelines visit advanced-usage
Warning: Not suitable if pregnant, nursing or under the age of 18. Performance Lab recommends always consulting with your doctor before taking any of their supplements if you have or suspect a medical condition and are taking any medication.
What are the benefits of Omega-3s?
The benefits of PL omega-3s are highly impressive and with more than 30,000 scientific studies to back the health claims, it's hard to argue! Some of the main benefits include:
Improved cardiovascular health and Immune function.
Improved Brain and Muscle health.
Improved Cognitive function and eye health.
Joint comfort, decreased inflammation and a lower risk of Arthritis.
Increased Bone strength and reduced risk of osteoporosis.
Is Performance Lab Omega-3 the best?
After doing an abundance of research in, on and around Omega-3s, I can say with the utmost confidence that the Performance Lab Omega-3 supplement is one of if not the very best currently available in the market. Their passion and sheer determination to develop this product using only the cleanest ingredients is unrivaled. Even their NutriGels® have nutritional benefits.
By using non-GMO ocean algae, a pure, potent and natural Omega-3 source and produced in a state-of-the-art indoor facility using proprietary fermentation, they've been able to develop the first and only plant-based alternative to fish oil.
Not only is the quality of the ingredients impressive, but the natural 2:1 ratio of DHA to EPA is easier for the body to absorb. Many other omega-3s contain and are calibrated using unnatural and less beneficial ratios.
It was 3 pain-staking years in the making but their patience and commitment has paid off.
Did I feel any benefits?
As a personal trainer and sports nutrition specialist, I have to admit I generally eat a very healthy and well-balanced diet. Most would consider me a someone diligent person when it comes to what I eat therefor when it comes to experimenting with health-boosting supplements, I tend to expect minor improvements, not major ones. My goal is always preventative and if there is something I can do/take to improve my health and reduce my risk of developing health issues further down the line, I'm all for it.
I should point out that despite living in the Mediterranean, I am not a big fan of seafood. I would much rather pop a pill, or NutriGel in this case than have to force-feed myself mackerel, cod, Herring and trout. If ever there was a nutrient lacking in my diet, it's Omega-3s fatty acids.
One thing I certainly did notice from taking the omega-3 over a 3 month period was a reduction in joint pain with less morning stiffness and discomfort. As someone that likes to get up and pound a few km of pavement before breakfast, this one was a big positive for me. No money back for me!
As for the rest of the health claims, I intend to continue taking the Omega-3 until I find out…
Should you take PL Omega-3?
I always like to try to answer the million-dollar question when I'm writing a supplement review. In this case, it's do you need to take an omega-3 supplement?
First and foremost I can't say definitively whether you should or shouldn't. It's not within my scope of practice. If you ever have any doubts about supplement use you should speak with a registered dietician or your health care professional.
According to the NHS, most people do not need to take supplements unless they are unable to get all of the nutrients needed for optimal health from diet alone.
The main food sources of Omega-3s are Fish and other seafood (especially cold-water fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, tuna, herring, and sardines) nuts and seeds (such as flaxseed, chia seeds, and walnuts) and Plant oils (such as flaxseed oil, soybean oil, and canola oil).
If you struggle to consume enough of the foods above, whether it’s because you dislike the taste, have poor access to the foods or perhaps you travel a lot and are looking for a safety net to keep you healthy whilst on the road, it may be worth considering an Omega-3 supplement.
Unlike many other supplements available today, Omega-3 has a huge amount of research and scientific support to back its multiple health claims.
Conclusion
After 3 months of taking the Performance Lab Omega-3s and doing a deep dive into the different supplement sources (oil, krill oil, cod liver oil, and algal oil, etc) I certainly wouldn't ever consider taking an inferior quality supplement. Some of the reasons being: Poor fishing practices, Secondary sources of Omega-3s that require various purification steps and processing for extraction, Fish caught in polluted waters that re tainted with heavy metals, PCBs, toxins and contaminants unnatural ratios of EPA:DHA, unpleasant fishy aftertaste, gastric distress and fish burps and the use of Ethyl ester, a synthetic Omega-3s form that is lab-derived from fish oil.
Performance Lab Omega-3 on the other hand has gone above and beyond to develop a much cleaner 100% plant-based source of fatty acids. By cutting out the middle man (or fish) they are able to source Omega-3s directly from natural algae. The result is a much cleaner, safer and more effective alternative to fish oil. The fact that it was 3 years in the making says a lot.
You tend to get what you pay for when it comes to supplements and with this particular product, you get a lot of Oily goodness jam-packed into one (or 2) easy to swallow vegan, carrageenan-free Softgel capsule capsules.
I should also mention that I've always had a great experience with their customer service. They answered all my questions (of which there were many) quickly and in great detail. Their online checkout is quick and easy to use and their delivery times have always been very prompt.
My Overall Score 9/10
Hard to fault really! Performance Lab is so confident that you’ll agree that it offers a 30-day Performance Promise. That means that if you don’t see positive results within 30 days, they’ll refund your money. No questions asked.
Get 10% off your first order with code: PLAB10
Disclaimer
The content on our blog is created to inform, but should never be taken as professional medical advice. The content of our articles is not intended for use as prevention, diagnosis and/or treatment of any health complications. Before making any lifestyle changes that include diet, using supplements or exercise regime, always consult your doctor or nearest health care specialist.
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