How to Avoid Acid Reflux From Fish Oil and Omega-3 Capsules
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How to Avoid Acid Reflux From Fish Oil and Omega-3 Capsules

How to Avoid Acid Reflux From Fish Oil and Omega-3 Capsules
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Updated on July 31, 2025
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Fish oil capsules are among the most commonly used dietary supplements in the United States.

 Fish oil is an excellent source of two types of omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Fish oil supplements are associated with lowering blood pressure and triglycerides and also with reducing pain, morning stiffness, and joint tenderness in people with rheumatoid arthritis.

 However, some people who take omega-3 supplements experience side effects, including bad breath, a fishy aftertaste, nausea, diarrhea, rash, and heartburn. So if you have acid reflux, taking these supplements could aggravate your symptoms.

But there are steps you can take to minimize gastrointestinal side effects while still reaping the potential benefits of increasing your omega-3 fatty acid intake.

Note that while omega-3 supplements and fish oil are generally considered safe, these oils may interact with blood thinners or diabetes drugs, so if you’re on any prescription medications, talk to your doctor before taking the supplements.

1. Take With Food

Some experts recommend taking fish oil capsules with meals to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.

But a small study found no difference in reported side effects among subjects who took fish oil supplements for 30 days with milk, with food, or on an empty stomach.

So you may need to experiment to find what works best for you.

2. Adjust Type or Dose

Dividing up your total fish oil dose among all of your meals for the day may help to reduce gastrointestinal side effects.

Enteric-coated fish oil or omega-3 capsules are another option. These capsules are coated with a material that doesn’t dissolve until it passes through your stomach and reaches your small intestine — preventing regurgitation of oil altogether.

Freezing fish oil capsules before taking them may also help prevent burping and acid reflux.

3. Try Alternative Sources

An alternative to fish oil or omega-3 supplements is to regularly eat fish that’s rich in omega-3 fats, such as salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, and albacore tuna.

In addition to marine sources, omega-3s are found in plants in the form of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). So if you find that fish oil aggravates your acid reflux or you prefer to avoid the fish sources, try increasing your ALA intake.

Seeds like ground flaxseed (and flaxseed oil), chia seeds, and hemp seeds are the richest sources of ALA. Other relatively good plant sources of omega-3s are canola oil, soybean oil, and walnuts.

A drawback is that the body needs to convert ALA to the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA for the desired health benefits. Because this process is not very efficient, plant sources of omega-3 fats are not as potent as fatty fish and supplements.

The Takeaway

  • Omega-3 fatty acids have numerous health benefits, but consuming them as supplements can aggravate acid reflux symptoms for some.
  • Talk to your doctor about the best way to get more omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, particularly if you’re having trouble tolerating omega-3 or fish oil supplements.
  • Regularly eating fatty fish, flaxseed, chia seeds, hemp seeds, canola oil, soybean oil, and walnuts may provide you with adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. December 17, 2024.
  2. Fish Oil. Mayo Clinic. August 10, 2023.
  3. Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids Capsules (Rx). Cleveland Clinic. 2025.
  4. Stop the Fish Oil Aftertaste. Arthritis Foundation.
  5. Malinowski SS et al. Effect of Fish Oil Supplement Administration Method on Tolerability and Adherence: a Randomized Pilot Clinical Trial. Pilot and Feasibility Studies. January 8, 2019.
  6. Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Cleveland Clinic. November 17, 2022.
  7. LeWine HE. Fish Oil: Friend or Foe? Harvard Health Publishing. July 24, 2024.
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Lynn Grieger, RDN, CDCES

Medical Reviewer

Lynn Grieger is a registered dietitian-nutritionist, certified diabetes care and education specialist, certified personal trainer, and certified health and wellness coach. She completed requirements to become a registered dietitian at Valparaiso University in 1987 and completed a dietetic internship at Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey, Illinois, in 1988. 

Lynn brings her expertise in nutrition, exercise, and behavior change to her work in helping people reach their individual health and fitness goals. In addition to writing for Everyday Health, she has also written for websites and publications like Food and Health Communications, Today's Dietitian, iVillage.com, and Rodale Press. She has a passion for healthy, nutrient-dense, great-tasting food and for being outdoors as much as possible — she can often be found running or hiking, and has completed a marathon in every state.

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Keren Price began medical writing in 1997. Over the years, she has written for a wide range of clients, including Medtronic, Salix Pharmaceuticals, and General Mills. Prior to her medical writing career, Price was the managing editor of the Journal of Nutrition Education. She earned a Bachelor of Science in biopsychology from Tufts University and a Master's degree in nutrition from Penn State.

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