Why Omega-3s Are Foundational: What They Do, Why You Need Them, and the Best Way to Get Them
Omega-3s are some of the most powerful (yet underrated) nutrients for total body health. Their benefits range from supporting cognitive health, the body’s natural inflammatory response, skin, joints, and more. Even though Omega-3s are one of the most essential nutrients, up to 85% of the world’s population doesn’t get enough from diet alone.
That’s why Dr. Neal Smoller, supplement strategist, pharmacist, and founder of Woodstock Vitamins, has been advocating for supplementing omega-3s for years. He’s addressed several debunked myths surrounding omega-3s that impact how people think about their omega-3 intake. Hopefully by the end of this article, you’ll understand why omega-3s are so foundational for total-body health and how to choose the right one.
What’s Wrong with Most Omega-3 Supplements
You’ve probably got a bottle of fish oil in your cabinet right now. Maybe you bought it because someone told you to, or you read about a particular brand in some article. Maybe you’re not even sure you’re still taking it. But the truth is, many omega-3s aren’t fresh enough or well-formulated to be effective.
Omega-3 is one of the few nutrients where the gap between what your diet provides and what your body needs is real, consistent, and hard to close with food alone. That’s why it’s in the First5 — not because it sounds foundational, but because most people are genuinely running without it. You don’t need to evaluate omega-3 products. You need a good one, taken consistently. Here’s what you should actually know about whether it’s working — and whether what you have is any good.
Why Omega-3s are Foundational For Your Health
Taking omega-3s isn’t just a good idea; it’s a great idea for ensuring you maintain long-lasting health for years. Generally speaking, omega-3 fatty acids are structural building blocks that support the body in a number of ways. They:
- Support healthy cell membrane flexibility (1)
- Help maintain balanced inflammatory signaling (2)
- Support cardiovascular function (3)
- Contribute to brain structure and cognitive performance (4)
- Promote skin hydration and barrier integrity (5)
- Support joint comfort and mobility (6)
What to Look For in an Omega-3 Supplement
As mentioned earlier, not all omega-3s are created equal. When choosing your omega-3 supplement, avoid these mistakes, and you’ll know you made the right choice:
- Buying low-dose products (300 mg omega-3s is not better than 1,000 mg)
- Ignoring oxidation (fish burps/taste = poor quality)
- Taking inconsistently
- Not considering omega-6 intake
- Assuming plant ALA converts efficiently to DHA (conversion is often <5%)
- Buying from a brand with low ethical standards or questionable sourcing
Just remember, dose, quality, sourcing, and form matter. Choose wisely.
Why Our Omega Isn’t Like the Others
While most people think omega-3s are all the same, that’s anything but true. Our Omega truly stands out in terms of its ingredients, formulation, and absorbability.
- High dose: 1000mg of omega-3s has been shown to provide cognitive, joint, and inflammatory support benefits.
- Low TOTOX score: This makes Omega one of the freshest-tasting omega-3s on the market.
- Sourcing: Our Omega is made from wild-caught Alaskan Pollock from a 35+ year sustainable fishery.
- Bioavailability: Omega is in the Ethyl Esters, a bioavailable form of omega-3s that’s easy on the stomach.
- Pharmacist-formulated: Dr. Neal Smoller, our founder and 20+ year pharmacist, created the formula himself using the latest science.
There are seemingly a million omega-3 supplements on the market; choose wisely with Omega.
Our Omega is Tested for Quality
One of the biggest hesitations around fish oil and getting omega-3s from eating fish is the amount of heavy metals lurking around. Fortunately, our Omega is third-party tested for heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and mercury, as well as contaminants like E. coli, Salmonella, yeast, and mold. Testing is a huge step when choosing an omega-3 supplement. It’s a good idea to give yourself peace of mind by knowing your omega-3s have been rigorously tested for heavy metals.
When to Expect Results from Consistent Omega-3 Use
Omega-3s are not a one-and-done kind of nutrient. Consistent intake yields the best results, particularly for your heart and brain. Studies show that it takes between 6 weeks and 6 months of daily use to see results from omega-3s.
Where Omega Fits into Your Health Foundation
At Woodstock Vitamins, we believe in building your health on a solid foundation. Yes, you can fill your body and medicine cabinet with tons of nice-sounding, unnecessary supplements. But why would you when you can get your foundational nutrients solid instead? That’s the logic behind Omega and all of the First 5.
That’s why Omega is part of our First5 framework — five foundational inputs most people lack:
The Bottom Line
When it comes to total body health, omega-3s don’t get the credit they deserve. And most of us don’t get enough omega-3s from diet alone. It’s affecting everything from how our brains function to our body’s inflammatory response. Omega-3s are not “optional”; they’re foundational. If you’re not sure whether Omega is the right starting point for you — or which of the First5 you actually need — take the quiz. It takes two minutes and tells you exactly where to begin your health journey from the inside out starts with what you put in your body, and our Omega is a good place to begin. Learn more about Omega and our other First5 here.
You don't need more products. You need a clear place to start.
You don't need to rush. You don't need to figure it out alone. Two minutes with the quiz and you'll know exactly where your foundation has gaps — and what to do about it.