Kirkland Fish Oil

 

Kirkland fish oil has become a particularly popular brand amongst fish oil users. The Kirkland brand is mostly sold in Costco stores and sometimes found at online stores. Kirkland fish oil is advertised to customers as a rich source of omega-3 which supports a healthy heart, joints, brain and skin.

So does Kirkland fish oil live up to its bill? Is it a quality supplement you can trust? I have personally bought and taken Kirkland fish oil, so I feel qualified to give an in depth review of my findings. In this article I will exam both the positives and the negatives regarding Kirkland fish oil.

Positives

  • No artificial colors, flavors, yeast, starch or gluten. This is usually a given on any quality supplement but reassuring nonetheless to people with sensitivities to the aforementioned.
  • Wild-caught fish and a molecular distillation process is used in the processing and manufacturing of oil. I touched on the importance of wild-caught fish and the molecular distillation process in my article Fish Oil Side Effects. In addition, a variety of fish species are used, including anchovy and sardines.
  • Tested and verified by USP. This third party organization sets official standards for dietary supplements and has tested and verified the potency, ingredients and manufacturing process of Kirkland fish oil.
  • Kirkland Signature product guarantee. Kirkland Signature products offer a guarantee to meet or exceed the quality of other, leading national brands. A full refund is given to those who are unsatisfied. A product can be returned to any  Costco warehouse store worldwide. In short, this company stands by its products.
  • Cost or price point. Kirkland fish oil is very affordable. The going price in most Costco stores and their online website is $8.99us for 400, 1000mg gelatin capsules. This works out to less than 2 cents per capsule. Most other recognized brands are at least a couple dollars more. Costco’s website is currently offering a 2.50 dollar discount.
  • Freshness. Because Kirkland fish oil is so popular, the freshness of the product is hardly a concern. Costco is constantly selling and restocking this supplement so freshness concerns are unwarranted.

Negatives

  • Unknown dosage of EPA and DHA. The label states 1000mg of omega-3 fatty acid with 300mg of this being comprised of EPA and DHA. First of all, 300mg of combined EPA and DHA is fairly low for 1000mg of omega-3. Second, Kirkland does not specify how much EPA and DHA make up the 300mg. This leads me to believe there is not an optimal ratio of EPA to DHA. If you may recall, DHA is extremely important and unique benefits however it is often neglected in fish oil supplements.
  • Must have membership at Costco to purchase. In order to purchase Kirkland products, you must have a Costco membership. Last I checked, the membership will run you 50 dollars a year, and to be honest, it is quite worth it, especially if you have a large family or consume many of the same products (it’s a bulk buy store).

Summary

If you are looking for an affordable, quality fish oil supplement, I would not hesitate to recommend Kirkland fish oil. The negative aspect of Kirkland’s decision not to disclose the amount of EPA and DHA found in their product is offset by its low price point and quality assurance.