Omega-3 is one of the most bought supplements in Malta — and one of the easiest to buy badly, because the big number on the front of the box is usually the wrong one. This guide explains the two numbers that actually matter, compares fish, krill and vegan algae sources, and shows what’s stocked locally at Sattva Health Shop with delivery across Malta and Gozo.

Ignore “1000 mg fish oil” — read the EPA and DHA lines

EPA and DHA are the two omega-3 fatty acids the label is really about. A capsule advertised as “1000 mg fish oil” might contain only 300 mg of combined EPA and DHA — the rest is other fish-oil components. So flip the box and find the EPA and DHA amounts per capsule or per serving. That’s the number to compare between brands, and it’s why a cheaper bottle is often more expensive per milligram of what you’re actually buying.

Fish, krill or algae?

Fish oil is the classic source and generally offers the most EPA and DHA per euro. Look for stated EPA/DHA amounts and a brand that discloses its sourcing.

Krill oil carries its omega-3s in phospholipid form and contains astaxanthin, which gives it its red colour. Doses per capsule are typically smaller than concentrated fish oil.

Algae oil is the vegan option — it’s where the fish get their omega-3 from in the first place. Algae products are usually DHA-focused, with the amount stated per capsule like any good label.

What we stock in Malta

Fits Omega-3 High Strength — the label-transparency benchmark in our range: EPA 500 mg and DHA 250 mg stated right in the product name, 90 softgels per bottle.

Igennus Wild Fish Oil & Vitamin D3 — pharmacist-formulated, from wild-caught fish, pairing omega-3 with vitamin D3 in one capsule.

Mattisson Krill Oil Omega-3 500 mg — the krill option, phospholipid-form omega-3 with naturally occurring astaxanthin.

Fits Algae Oil DHA 200 mg — fully vegan, DHA from cultivated algae with the dose per capsule on the label; also listed in our vegan range.

Natures Aid Complete EFA 1200 mg — a combined omega 3-6-9 for people who want one broad essential-fats product rather than a concentrated omega-3.

Keeping it fresh

Omega-3 oils are delicate. Store the bottle somewhere cool and dark (the fridge is ideal in a Malta summer), keep the lid tight, and finish an opened bottle within its use-by guidance. A quality product shouldn’t taste or smell strongly fishy — repeating “fish burps” can be a sign of oxidised oil.

Buying omega-3 in Malta

All of the above ships from local stock across Malta and Gozo for €6, free on orders over €40, usually within 1–3 working days — or collect from St Paul’s Bay by appointment. Every product page lists the full EPA/DHA breakdown, so you can compare per-capsule numbers before ordering. Related reading: our top supplements in Malta guide and the heart & cholesterol selection.

FAQ

How much EPA and DHA should I look for? There’s no single right answer — products in our range span roughly 200–750 mg combined per capsule. Compare labels on a per-capsule basis, and if you’re taking it for a specific reason or alongside medication (especially blood thinners), ask your doctor or pharmacist what’s appropriate for you.

Is vegan omega-3 as good as fish oil? Algae oil provides the same DHA molecule fish oil does — the fish themselves get it from algae. Most algae products contain less EPA, so check both lines if EPA matters to your comparison.

When should I take omega-3? With a meal that contains some fat — it’s better absorbed that way and gentler on the stomach.