BiOmega Review – Is it Effective?

Fish oil supplements, like USANA BiOmega, have been promoted as an easy way to ease inflammation, protect the heart, lengthen life, and improve mental health.

This type of marketing is one of the reasons why Americans spend more than $1 billion a year on over-the-counter fish oil products. Furthermore, food companies are now adding Omega-3’s to foods such as yogurt, milk, cereal, cookies, chocolate, and juice[1].

Fish oils are obtained from fatty or oily fish, such as mackerel, trout, tuna, sardines, herring, and salmon. They have high amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids, and many also contain added Vitamin A and Vitamin D.

1) Quick Overview

BiOmega is advertised as one of the best fish oil supplements available. According to USANA, what sets BiOmega apart is that it has all the benefits of fish oil in an easy-to-take gel capsule, and it is virtually free of toxic contaminants like mercury because of its triple distillation process.

BiOmega contains concentrated doses of DHA and EPA, beneficial fats that support learning, memory, cognitive development, and is recommended for adults and pregnant or nursing women.

2) How Did BiOmega Start?

BiOmega fish oil supplement is produced by USANA Health Sciences. Founded in 1992, USANA is a U.S.-based nutritional company that manufactures quality supplements, weight-management, energy, and personal care products in its FDA-registered facility in Salt Lake City, Utah[2].

USANA is a multi-level marketing company (MLM)[3]. According to USANA’s official website, its supplements, tested by NSF International, are used by hundreds of professional athletes worldwide and are developed by the company’s award-winning team of experts and marketed directly to Associates and Preferred Customers in 18 international markets.

Over the past decade, USANA has received more than 100 state, national and international awards, including Stevie Awards, Utah Best of State, NutriSearch Editor’s Choice, and Australian Business Awards.

How to contact USANA Health Sciences:

For the United States

• Address: 3838 West Parkway Boulevard, Salt Lake City, UT 84120
• Phone: 1-888-950-9595 6:30am – 9:00pm MST
• Fax: 1-800-289-8081
• Email: customerservice@usanainc.com

For Canada

• Address: 80 Innovation Dr., Woodbridge, ON, L4H0T2
• Phone: 1-888-950-9595 6:30am – 9:00pm MST
• Fax: 1-800-289-8081
• Email: customerservice@usanainc.com

A similar company called AIM Global also runs on an MLM-like scheme and produce supplements like C247 Food Supplement.

3) Details on BiOmega Ingredients and Uses

USANA BiOmega includes the following active ingredients:

• Vitamin D3 200 IU
• Fish Oil Concentrate Blend (total Omega-3 Fatty Acids 1,200 mg, DHA 470 mg, and EPA 580 mg) 2,000 mg

Other ingredients include glycerin, soybean oil, gelatin, purified water, lemon oil, and mixed natural tocopherols.

4) Does BiOmega Work?

In a recent study[4], ConsumerLab tested several similar dietary supplements from various manufacturers to determine whether they, in fact, included the amounts of these ingredients stated on their labels. Inconsistencies were discovered in about 30% of the other fish oil and Omega-3 supplements.

However, the study also concluded that USANA’s BiOmega contains its labeled amount of fish oil, Omega-3s, DHA, and EPA. This is a huge plus for the company and for their products, in general.

In light of new FDA warnings[5] against potentially unsafe supplements available on the market, studies like this may help consumers and healthcare professionals make better decisions and more informed recommendations regarding supplements.

Scientists have linked Omega-3 to many health benefits. Still, it is not yet clear whether or not supplementing with additional Omega-3 can offer benefits.

But let’s take a quick look over what BiOmega promises to do for you.

First, Omega-3 may help with postpartum depression. Women with low levels of Omega-3 during pregnancy and while nursing may be more susceptive to postpartum depression.

The authors of a 2018 study[6] concluded that taking fish oil supplements around this time may help reduce the risk of depression.

In addition to postpartum depression, research[7] suggests that DHA and EPA may help treat various neuropsychiatric conditions. These include:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• Depression
• Parkinson’s disease
• Schizophrenia
• Dementia
• Memory loss
• Cognitive decline

Some studies have concluded that supplementing with Omega-3 may help prevent cognitive decline, especially in older adults. However, another review[8] from 2019 showed that the previous findings are not conclusive.

Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oils may also help prevent heart disease and stroke, according to the AHA[9].

Particularly, Omega-3 may help manage:

• Cholesterol
• Triglyceride levels
• High blood pressure

A 2013 study found that people who took fish oil supplements for longer than one month had better cardiovascular function during mentally stressful tests[10].

The concentrated levels of DHA and EPA in BiOmega were designed with your heart health in mind. How does BiOmega love your heart? Let’s count the ways:

• EPA and DHA help maintain healthy high-density lipoprotein (HDL—the good cholesterol) and triglyceride (a type of fat) levels in plasma, which are essential for supporting healthy arterial function and blood flow;
• Supportive but not conclusive research shows that the consumption of EPA and DHA may reduce coronary heart disease risk. One serving of BiOmega provides 1050mg of EPA and DHA Omega-3 fatty acids;
• Adding Omega-3 fatty acids in the diet is associated with endothelial health, which is important for healthy circulation;
• Higher levels of Omega-3s in plasma have been associated with maintaining normal blood pressure levels;
• Getting 1 g of marine fatty acids DHA and EPA per day has been linked with maintaining a healthy resting heart rate;
• Supplementation with Omega-3 fatty acids has been correlated with arterial flexibility, a factor in good cardiovascular health.

5) BiOmega Claims

BiOmega claimed benefits include:

• Supports sound cardiovascular, immune, health, and joint health;
• Provides high concentrations of DHA and EPA, two long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids essential for learning and memory;
• Plays a role in many critical cellular processes critical to the body’s survival;
• Critical for supporting healthy babies and healthy pregnancies;
• Flavored with lemon oil to reduce the fishy aftertaste associated with most fish oil supplements;
• Supports healthy inflammatory response.

6) Side Effects of Using BiOmega

While generally safe, getting too much fish oil may increase your risk of bleeding, affect your immune response, lower blood pressure, increase blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, or cause Vitamin A toxicity when taken in large amounts[11][12][13][14].

Other mild side effects associated with the use of Omega-3 fish oil include:

• A fishy aftertaste
• Bad breath
• Heartburn
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Rashes

7) What You Need to Know Before Taking BiOmega

Omega-3 fish oil may also interact with certain medications[15][16][17]. Possible interactions include:

• Anticoagulant and antiplatelet supplements, herbs, and meds – These types of supplements, herbs, and meds reduce blood clotting. Taking fish oil supplements with them may increase the risk of bleeding;
• Blood pressure supplements, herbs, and meds – Taking fish oil supplements may lower blood pressure. Taking these supplements with blood pressure prescriptions may enhance the effects of these prescriptions leading to potentially dangerous adverse effects;
• Contraceptive meds – Some contraceptive medicines may conflict with the effect fish oil typically has on triglycerides;
• Orlistat (Alli or Xenical) – Taking fish oil with this type of weight-loss meds may decrease fish oil fatty acids’ absorption.
• Vitamin E – Taking fish oil can lower Vitamin E levels.

8) Where to Buy BiOmega in the United States?

Like all USANA Health Science products, you can purchase BiOmega online from the official store or many other retailers like:

• Amazon
• eBay
• Walmart
• BuyNutritionals
• Premium Vitamins

9) How Much Does BiOmega Cost?

BiOmega 56 capsules (28 servings) costs $24.18. Please keep in mind that the price may vary from one retailer to another. Some retailers or USANA Partners and Distributors may offer significant discounts, free shipping, and better return/money-back guarantee policies.

10) How to Use BiOmega

As a dietary supplement, take two (2) capsules daily, preferably with food. The product is intended for healthy adults over 18 and women who are pregnant or nursing.

11) What Users Are Saying

12) The Bottom Line – “Does it Work?”

USANA BiOmega contains one of the most concentrated doses of DHA and EPA you can find on the market. It’s made from responsibly sourced, cold-water, deep-sea fish. Plus, it’s flavored with lemon oil to help minimize any fishy aftertaste.

Supplementing with Omega-3 may also be a good option if you can’t or don’t want to eat that much fish – because of food preferences or concerns over toxins associated with certain types of fish.

Another option is getting your daily Omega-3 fatty acids from vegetable sources such as flaxseed oil, chia seeds, canola oil, soybean oil, walnuts, kidney beans.

Generally, most people don’t really need supplementation with Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA), but USANA BiOmega may be an excellent dietary option for individuals who actually need it.