Optimum Omega (AU)

Optimum Omega™ (AU$39.00) is Pharmanex's omega-3 fish oil supplement, providing EPA and DHA from sustainably sourced fish in an enteric-coated soft-gel that resists stomach acid and releases in the small intestine — significantly reducing the fishy aftertaste and reflux that drive most users to abandon standard fish oil. EPA and DHA are the two omega-3 fatty acids with the strongest evidence base for heart health, cognitive function, and inflammatory-pathway modulation. The Australian National Heart Foundation has historically recommended 250–500 mg combined EPA + DHA daily for general adult cardiovascular maintenance — a target most Australians don't reach through diet alone. Designed for adults supplementing year-round to fill the gap between dietary intake and recommended levels. Ships from the official Nu Skin warehouse in Australia, no Nu Skin membership or registration required.

⚠️ Allergen notice — Fish: Optimum Omega is derived from fish oil. Not suitable for users with a confirmed fish allergy, and not vegan or vegetarian (the soft-gel shell contains gelatin). Always read the full allergen statement on the product packaging.

What Makes It Different

The enteric coating is the practical difference you notice immediately. Standard fish oil soft-gels dissolve in the stomach, which is why they cause fishy burps and reflux in many users — the oil releases before reaching the small intestine, where it is actually absorbed. Optimum Omega's enteric coating resists stomach acid and releases the oil in the small intestine, which both improves absorption and largely eliminates the aftertaste that makes daily fish oil intolerable for many adults. Users who have previously given up on fish oil due to tolerance issues commonly find this formulation works where pharmacy-aisle alternatives didn't.

The second differentiator is purification. Mozaffarian D and Wu JH published a comprehensive review in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (2011;58(20):2047–2067) on omega-3 cardiovascular evidence — confirming that EPA and DHA intake is associated with reduced cardiac event risk, with measurable benefit observed at intakes as low as 250 mg/day combined EPA + DHA. The catch: fish oil quality varies enormously across the supplement industry, and cheaper oils can contain oxidised fatty acids and detectable levels of mercury, dioxins, and PCBs. Pharmaceutical-grade purification removes heavy metals and contaminants so the omega-3 dose isn't paired with a contaminant dose.

Key Ingredients

EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid): Supports cardiovascular health and healthy inflammatory-pathway modulation. EPA is a precursor to resolvins and protectins — signalling molecules that help regulate the body's inflammatory processes. The body cannot efficiently produce EPA from plant-based omega-3 (ALA from flaxseed, chia, walnuts) — conversion rates from ALA to EPA are typically only 5–10%, which is why direct supplementation is more reliable than relying on plant sources alone.

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid): The dominant omega-3 in brain tissue — DHA makes up approximately 40% of the polyunsaturated fatty acids in the human brain and a similarly high fraction in the retinal photoreceptor outer segments. Critical for cognitive function, visual acuity, and neuronal membrane fluidity. Adult brains continuously turn over DHA, so inadequate intake is associated with cognitive-pathway concerns in ageing populations.

Sustainably sourced, purified fish oil: Wild-caught fish processed to pharmaceutical-grade purity, with heavy metals, PCBs, dioxins, and other contaminants removed. The soft-gel shell is gelatin-based; the enteric coating is the soft-gel surface treatment that delays release until the small intestine.

Who Is This Designed For

✅ Best suited: Australian adults who want to support heart health, cognitive function, and inflammatory-pathway balance year-round — particularly those who do not eat oily fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel) 2–3 times weekly, those who have abandoned standard fish oil due to fishy aftertaste, and adults over 40 building a comprehensive cardiovascular and cognitive supplement routine.

⚠️ Less suited: Not suitable if you have a confirmed fish allergy. Consult your healthcare professional first if you take blood thinners (warfarin, apixaban) — high-dose omega-3 may have additive antiplatelet effects; if you are scheduled for surgery within two weeks; if you take blood-pressure medication (omega-3 may have a mild blood-pressure-lowering effect); or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Vegetarian or vegan users should look at algae-derived DHA alternatives — Optimum Omega contains fish oil and gelatin.

💡 Pairs well with: a daily multivitamin foundation, oily-fish meals 1–2 times weekly (where dietary intake doesn't reach 2–3 servings), and any cardiovascular routine recommended by your doctor.

The persona this is most clearly built for is a 35–65-year-old Australian who has read enough about cardiovascular and cognitive health to know omega-3 matters, who is not eating oily fish often enough to hit the National Heart Foundation target through diet alone, and who has either tried supermarket fish oil and given up due to reflux/aftertaste, or wants a purified, enteric-coated alternative from the start.

How It Compares

Dimension	Pharmanex Optimum Omega	Blackmores Fish Oil 1000	Swisse Ultiboost Omega-3	Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega
Capsule format	Enteric-coated soft-gel — releases in small intestine	Standard soft-gel — releases in stomach	Standard soft-gel — releases in stomach	Standard soft-gel, lemon flavoured
Reflux / aftertaste	Largely eliminated by enteric coating	Common with sensitive users	Common with sensitive users	Reduced by lemon flavouring
EPA + DHA per capsule	Concentrated dose per soft-gel	~300 mg combined per 1000 mg capsule	Concentrated variant available	High-concentration formulation
Purification	Pharmaceutical-grade, heavy metals + PCBs removed	Tested to TGA standards	Tested to TGA standards	Independent third-party purity testing
Cost per day (AU)	~AU$1.30 (single box rate)	~AU$0.30–0.40	~AU$0.40–0.50	~AU$1.50–2.00
Designed primary use	Heart, brain, joint omega-3 with reflux-friendly format	General omega-3 supplementation	General omega-3 supplementation	High-EPA/DHA cardiovascular focus
TGA status	AUST L	AUST L	AUST L	AUST L (where applicable)

Comparison information based on publicly available product specifications and pricing as of May 2026. Mainstream pharmacy brand pricing varies across product tiers.

Optimum Omega's positioning sits between two ends of the Australian fish oil market. Mainstream supermarket fish oil (Blackmores Fish Oil 1000, Swisse Ultiboost Omega-3) is significantly cheaper per day but uses standard soft-gels that cause reflux for many users and commits less explicitly to pharmaceutical-grade purification. Premium imported brands like Nordic Naturals offer high-concentration cardiovascular-focused formulations at similar or higher cost. Optimum Omega occupies the middle: enteric-coated for tolerance, pharmaceutical-grade for purity, available in Australia without import-fee surcharges. If your priority is the lowest possible per-day cost and you tolerate standard soft-gels well, mainstream pharmacy options are reasonable for that simpler scope. For users who have abandoned standard fish oil over reflux or who specifically want enteric-coated, pharmaceutical-grade omega-3, Optimum Omega is built around that combination.

How Australians Are Using It

Standard adult dose: take with food — fat-containing meals improve omega-3 absorption significantly. Most users take them with breakfast or dinner. The enteric coating means you do not need to freeze the capsules or take them with extra-large meals to avoid reflux, which are common workarounds with standard fish oil. If you are eating oily fish (salmon, sardines, mackerel) 2–3 times per week, lower-dose maintenance is reasonable — but most Australians fall well short of that dietary target, so the full daily dose is usually appropriate.

What to expect: omega-3 supplementation is a long-game cardiovascular and cognitive input, not an acute mood or energy product. The first 2–4 weeks establish the routine without notable subjective change. Across 8–12 weeks of consistent daily use, biomarker tracking (where available — omega-3 index blood tests, lipid panels) typically shows measurable shifts. Subjective markers — joint comfort during exercise, dry-eye symptoms, skin texture — sometimes track alongside the biomarker change but vary widely between individuals.

Australian context: oily fish consumption in Australia has been declining over recent decades, particularly among younger adults and inland populations far from coastal fish supply chains. The price-and-supply gap between Sydney/Melbourne fishmonger access and rural-NSW or regional-WA grocery availability makes omega-3 supplementation structurally relevant for adults whose dietary fish intake is realistic to assess at "less than once a week".

Works With

LifePak® Premium Multivitamin

The daily nutritional foundation. LifePak already contains a MarineOmega capsule — fish oil plus phospholipid-bound krill oil — at maintenance levels. Adding Optimum Omega on top supplies higher-concentration EPA and DHA in the enteric-coated format, which is structurally relevant for users specifically targeting cardiovascular or cognitive endpoints rather than general daily maintenance.

Flex Formula

For active adults working on joint comfort, the combination is a structural-and-inflammatory pair — Flex Formula supplies the structural side (glucosamine, MSM, vitamin C for cartilage and connective-tissue support); Optimum Omega supplies the inflammatory-pathway side (EPA modulating resolvin and protectin signalling). Common among adults over 40 who train consistently and want both pathways supported.

Pharmanex Eye Formula

DHA concentrates in the retinal photoreceptor outer segments at among the highest densities of any tissue in the body. Pairing Optimum Omega's DHA delivery with Eye Formula's lutein, zeaxanthin, and bilberry layer covers two distinct nutritional pathways the retina uses — the carotenoid macular pigment side and the DHA membrane-fluidity side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy Optimum Omega in Australia without signing up to Nu Skin?

Yes. NuBest Skin sells Optimum Omega at AU$39.00 with no Nu Skin membership, no registration, and no minimum order. Free shipping applies on orders over AU$99 and the product ships from the official Nu Skin warehouse in Australia within 3–5 business days.

Why enteric-coated instead of standard soft-gels?

Enteric coating prevents the capsule from dissolving in your stomach, which is what causes the fishy aftertaste, burps, and reflux that many users experience with standard fish oil. The coating resists stomach acid and lets the capsule dissolve in the small intestine, where omega-3s are absorbed. Better tolerance, potentially better absorption — it's a straightforward improvement over standard soft-gels for users sensitive to standard fish oil.

Can vegetarians or vegans take this?

No. Optimum Omega is derived from fish oil and the soft-gel shell contains gelatin. For a plant-based omega-3, look at algae-derived DHA supplements (not offered in this product). Plant-based ALA from flaxseed, chia, or walnuts converts to EPA and DHA at very low rates (5–10%), so direct algae-derived DHA is the most efficient vegan alternative for users seeking direct EPA/DHA support.

I have a fish allergy. Can I take this?

No. Optimum Omega is derived directly from fish oil and is not suitable for users with a confirmed fish allergy. Reactions to fish oil supplements are uncommon but can occur, particularly in users with severe allergies. Always read the allergen statement on the product packaging and consult your healthcare professional if you have any concerns.

Can I take it with prescription medication?

Consult your GP or pharmacist before starting if you take prescription medication. Specific interactions to flag: blood thinners (warfarin, apixaban) — high-dose omega-3 may have additive antiplatelet effects; blood-pressure medication — omega-3 may have a mild additional blood-pressure-lowering effect; surgery scheduled within two weeks — discontinue beforehand to reduce bleeding risk.

How much EPA and DHA should I aim for daily?

The Australian National Heart Foundation has historically recommended 250–500 mg combined EPA + DHA per day for general adult cardiovascular maintenance, with higher doses sometimes recommended for specific cardiovascular conditions under medical guidance. Always read the current product label for exact mg-per-soft-gel content and adjust dose timing to match your target intake. Do not exceed 3 g combined EPA + DHA daily without medical advice.

Does it contain mercury or other contaminants?

Optimum Omega is processed to pharmaceutical-grade purity, with heavy metals (mercury, cadmium, lead), PCBs, dioxins, and other environmental contaminants removed during purification. This is one of the structural reasons supplemented purified fish oil is generally a safer omega-3 source for adults than significantly increased dietary intake of large predatory fish (which accumulate mercury through the food chain).

How should I store it?

Store in a cool, dry place below 25°C, away from direct sunlight. Once opened, keep the bottle tightly sealed; omega-3 oils are sensitive to oxidation when exposed to air, light, and heat over time. Refrigeration is not required but is reasonable in extended hot Australian summers without consistent air-conditioning.

Important Information

Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Vitamin and mineral supplements should not replace a balanced diet. If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare professional. Not suitable for children under 15 years unless advised by a healthcare practitioner. If pregnant, breastfeeding, taking blood thinners or blood-pressure medication, scheduled for surgery, or with a fish allergy, consult your GP before use. Contains fish — allergen warning. Contains gelatin — not vegan or vegetarian.

NuBest Skin is an Independent Nu Skin Brand Affiliate. This website is independently operated and is not produced, endorsed, or approved by Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.

Sources & References

1. Mozaffarian D, Wu JH — Omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease: effects on risk factors, molecular pathways, and clinical events. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 2011;58(20):2047–2067. EPA + DHA cardiovascular evidence and dose-response data.
2. Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. — Optimum Omega Product Information, Pharmanex / Nu Skin product documentation. EPA and DHA composition, enteric-coating specification, fish-oil purification process.
3. National Heart Foundation of Australia — Fish, fish oil, omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular health position statement, heartfoundation.org.au. Australian dietary recommendations for combined EPA + DHA intake.
4. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) — Listed Medicines: Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods, tga.gov.au. AUST L listing classification framework.
5. Product information reviewed by the NuBest Skin Editorial Team. Last updated May 2026.