Last modified on June 22nd, 2023
Omega XL is a popular supplement.
Below we go into everything you need to know about it, including what the Omega XL reviews say, whether or not it’s safe, and we go over the available research on the ingredients in this anti-inflammatory oil extract supplement.
A lot of people already know about the benefits of omega-3s.
Namely, they’re good for immune, joint, heart, and respiratory health.
We’ll detail more about that below.
However, when you think of the best source of omega-3s, you may automatically think about fish oil.
Omega XL is a unique product because the fatty acids come from green-lipped mussels.
Green-lipped mussels are native to New Zealand and may have medicinal and therapeutic properties.
For example, these mussels are believed to have anti-inflammatory compounds, which may help with inflammatory conditions, including arthritis.
What Should You Know About Green-Lipped Mussels?
To really understand the Omega XL supplement, it’s best to go into more detail about green-lipped mussels.
Since the 1970s, they have been studied for their potential health benefits, particularly for arthritis.
Researchers discovered they were a source of fatty acids, and especially EPA and DHA.
Researchers have also identified other types of fatty acids from the mussels, and they might be able to stop inflammation and provide relief from pain because they prevent the production of proteins and enzymes that lead to inflammation as well as pain.
These marine lipids also have chondroitin sulfate, which is part of our joints and bones. Chondroitin sulfate may also reduce inflammation.
As a dietary supplement, the mussels also have B vitamins, selenium, iron, zinc, fats, and chondroitin.
Benefits of Green-Lipped Mussels
The following are some of the conditions that may benefit from green-lipped mussels.
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic condition linked to inflammation that can affect your breathing and lungs.
There is some evidence this particular type of mussel may help with asthma.
For example, in one study, people with asthma were given either 400 milligrams of green-lipped mussel extract for three weeks or a placebo.
The extract led to significant reductions in asthma symptoms and airway inflammation.
There was a similar eight-week study with findings that again showed the group taking a green-lipped mussel extract had reduced frequency of their asthma symptoms and less airway inflammation than the placebo group.
Arthritis
Arthritis is one of the most common conditions people take Omega XL for and green-lipped mussel supplements in general.
There are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, both of which can cause joint discomfort.
There is some evidence that green-lipped mussel extract can help relieve inflammation and symptoms of both.
However, there is more evidence to support the use of supplements like chondroitin and glucosamine to help with arthritis than there is to support what’s in this product.
Even so, according to Kaiser Permanente, evidence shows that using a green-lipped mussel supplement can help reduce joint tenderness and stiffness, and pain.
This type of supplement may help with post-exercise muscle recovery as well.
Muscle Pain and Soreness
Some studies have looked at the use of green-lipped mussel extract for muscle soreness and stiffness in athletes.
Specifically, based on clinical studies, something called delayed onset muscle soreness or DOMS occurs 24 to 48 hours after a particularly intense or new workout.
Muscle damage from the workout is thought to lead to inflammation. Some studies have shown that taking green-lipped mussels can help reduce pain from working out.
ADHD
Another potentially interesting use for green-lipped mussels is to help with the symptoms of ADHD.
A growing body of research indicates that ADHD and similar health conditions might be associated with inflammation.
One study protocol found that the use of a fatty acid complex like what’s found in mussels helped significantly improve attention and learning ability in children between the ages of 6 and 14 with ADHD symptoms.
What is Omega XL?
Omega XL is a supplement marketed as helping support joint health and mobility. According to the company that manufactures the product, which is Great HealthWorks, the following are the benefits of this product over a standard fish oil capsule:
- The capsule is a small and easy to swallow soft gel
- There’s no fishy aftertaste
- Made from sustainably farmed green-lipped mussels
- Contains more than 30 fatty acids
Green Lipped Mussel vs. Fish Oil
The anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving benefits of this type of mussels are thought to stem from the fact that it’s packed with omega-3s– more than what you could probably get from your normal diet.
With that in mind, how does Omega XL compare to another type of lipid extract?
There is some research that shows this mussel, like what’s found as the key ingredient in Omega XL, may be more potent than the oil
It seems that lower doses of this type of mussels might have more effects than high doses of oil.
Also, there may be some benefits of the mussel beyond combatting inflammation for quality health. For example, it may help promote immune system health and it may boost blood circulation.
Some people believe it helps with fertility as well.
Green-lipped mussels have nutritional benefits aside from being rich in fatty acids. For example, they have iron and protein.
Green-lipped mussels tend to be more sustainably sourced and have a reduced environmental footprint compared to farmed and wild-caught fish too.
They are cultivated on ropes, so they can be efficiently farmed with limited resources. Green-lipped mussels are also filter feeders, so they can take in dissolved CO2 from their environment, and that helps maintain the marine ecosystem equilibrium around them.
Fish oil has two kinds of healthy fat. It has EPA and DHA.
The green-lipped mussel has another fatty acid, however, called ETA.
All of them can block inflammation-creating enzymes. According to previous studies, ETA is unique because it actually works at the genetic level.
For that reason, some people prefer green-lipped mussels as their source of omega-3s, as compared to oil from fish.
EPA Fatty Acid
Understanding the different types of fats and how they work can help you as you choose the best arthritis or anti-inflammatory substance for your needs.
EPA is used by your body to produce molecules called eicosanoids. These are molecules that reduce inflammation. EPA, along with relieving joint and arthritis pain, potentially has numerous other benefits. For example, it may reduce symptoms of depression and reduce hot flashes in menopausal women.
DHA Fatty Acid
DHA is found in both fish oil and green-lipped mussels. It’s part of your skin and eye structure. It’s an important part of brain development in babies and children and brain function in adults.
Later in life, a decrease in DHA is linked to impaired brain function and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s. There are other potential benefits of a daily dose of DHA for conditions like arthritis, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancer.
ETA Fatty Acid
As was mentioned, one of the things that’s unique about green-lipped mussels compared to fish oil is the presence of ETA.
Recent research has found that ETA may actually have more powerful natural relief and anti-inflammatory properties than EPA and DHA.
Are There Any Other Ingredients?
The actual ingredient listed in this supplement is described as a proprietary blend.
It contains green-lipped mussel extract with vitamin E, fats, and extra virgin olive oil.
Two Omega XL soft gel capsules have 300 milligrams of this proprietary extract.
The only other ingredients are gelatin, glycerin, and purified water.
What Do Omega XL Reviews Say?
So, we took a look at Omega XL customer reviews to give you an efficient overview of just what people think about this product.
We found that a lot of people, according to their Omega XL reviews, don’t think this product is effective.
Most people tried it as a way to deal with pain and inflammation, and many said they got no results at all.
We feel that for the cost of this product, reviews are too focused on the negative for us to say this is truly a quality product.
Many of the Omega XL reviews also point out that they used it for several months, and many bought more than one bottle and still got no result.
While we have highlighted some of the negative Omega XL reviews, we will say that of all of the reviews on Amazon, 69% are five-star. Thirteen percent are four-star, and only six percent are one-star.
While we did go over the negative Omega XL reviews, we also took a look at the more positive ones.
Some people said that they did feel taking Omega XL helped with their joint pain and especially their knee pain.
Some people did stop taking Omega XL because even though they felt it was effective, it was too expensive for them.
Are There Any Omega XL Side Effects to Be Aware Of?
As was touched on, when going over the many reviews, we found the primary problem people have is that it’s not an effective product.
We didn’t find a lot of specific instances of people saying they experienced side effects because of Omega XL. However, too much fish oil or omega-3 fats can have side effects. These are rare, and again, are the result of taking doses that are too high, but they are still important to be aware of.
Possible side effects of Omega XL related to omega-3 fats in high doses can include:
- Increased blood sugar in people with diabetes
- Bleeding including bleeding gums and nosebleeds because of inhibited blood clotting abilities
- Low blood pressure
- Diarrhea
- Acid reflux
- Stroke, because of the impact on the blood’s ability to clot
- Vitamin A toxicity which can include symptoms like nausea and can eventually lead to liver damage or failure in severe cases
- Insomnia
The recommended amount of omega-3 fats is around 250 to 500 milligrams a day. A dose of Omega XL is 300 milligrams.
Up to 5,000 milligrams may be safe, but that is the absolute upper limit.
You should always speak to your doctor before taking any supplement, including Omega XL or an omega-3 supplement.
Omega XL Frequently Asked Questions
The following are brief answers to some of the most common questions people have about this supplement with omega-3 fatty acids.
What Is Omega XL Good For?
This is a supplement that is marketed as helping with inflammation and pain. Primarily, people seem to use Omega XL to help with osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis pain, as well as general joint pain.
The supplement contains, according to the makers, more than 30 healthy fats, including DHA. It also has nutrients like iron and amino acids.
There is clinical research backing up the fact that omega-3s can fight inflammation and resulting joint pain.
What is in Omega XL?
Omega XL has a proprietary, green-lipped mussel oil blend. That is the primary ingredient. This mussel has been shown in some studies to have positive benefits for joint pain and both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The mussel extract also has vitamin E and pharmaceutical-grade olive oil.
With that being said, there are alternatives that have more clinical evidence to support their effectiveness, including powerful supplements like curcumin and chondroitin.
How Much Is Omega XL?
The price of Omega XL can vary. We found that for 120 soft gels on Amazon, the prices were slightly under $95 currently, although that could change.
For a bottle of 60 capsules, the price is under $50 on Amazon.
We found the price was similar at Walmart as well.
Another option is to buy Omega XL from the manufacturer’s website directly, but we don’t prefer this method for a few reasons.
First, the return policy is probably not as lenient as it is if you buy on Amazon.
The second reason is that on the manufacturer’s website, you’ll see a promotion where you can buy one, get one free. However, you can only get that discount if you sign up for a monthly auto-ship using your credit card.
Where to Buy Omega XL?
Two of the best places to buy Omega XL are either Amazon or Walmart. You may not be able to find Omega XL in Walmart stores, however, so you might just be better off buying it on Amazon if you’re a prime member.
What Are the Side Effects of Omega XL?
We couldn’t find any major side effects associated with Omega XL. Overall, from what we could find, it’s a fairly safe supplement. With that being said, you first should always talk to your health care provider before you take any supplement.
You should also make sure you follow the dosage instructions carefully. Too much omega-3 can cause serious side effects, including blood clotting issues.
Overall, this mussel seems to be well-tolerated with minimal known side effects. You should be careful about taking it with an anti-coagulant, however, because there may be adverse interactions between the two.
How Good is Omega XL?
A lot of people have heard about it, and it’s a well-known supplement, so you may be wondering how good is Omega XL.
In our opinion, it’s not that good.
It might be okay to try, but it’s expensive, and there are other anti-inflammatory supplements we like better for joint pain.
While there is some evidence that mussel extract, the active ingredient in Omega XL, has some health benefits, there are a lot more supplements available with significant amounts of research to back them up.
We just aren’t that impressed with Omega XL overall.
How Do You Take Omega XL?
To take Omega XL, the instructions indicate you should take four gel capsules a day for the first eight weeks. You can take all four at one time, or you can split them up and take two in the morning and two in the evening.
Some people start to notice the effects of Omega XL after a couple of weeks of consistent use, but the company that makes it says you should wait at least eight weeks to see effects.
The Best Omega XL Alternatives
As was touched on above, we don’t love Omega XL. It doesn’t have some good reviews, but we’re not convinced it’s the best supplement to combat inflammation and joint pain.
Some other options we like more are below and we also included links to the products on Amazon below the descriptions.
Barlean’s Organic Oils Omega-3 Fish Oil
If you want to get omega-3 fish oil, we like this product. It is a liquid supplement, so it’s easily absorbed and used by the body. It has a great smoothie consistency and flavor, and there’s minimal fishy aftertaste. It’s also a much more affordable supplement than Omega XL.
Each serving has 1080 milligrams of EPA and DHA, plus something else we love is that each serving also has 600 IU of vitamin D.
It’s made from ultra-purified fish oil and is free of mercury and heavy metals.
This fish oil supplement is top-rated among Amazon users, unlike the Omega XL reviews, which are very mixed.
Vimerson Health Glucosamine, Chondroitin, Turmeric & MSM
If you’re dealing with joint pain and you want a top-rated and relatively inexpensive supplement, we recommend the Glucosamine Chondroitin product from Vimerson Health. It also contains turmeric and MSM. It has almost 17,000 reviews on Amazon and an average of 4.5 out of five stars
According to user reviews, this product works quickly to help with pain and symptoms of arthritis.
Users say that they’ve been able to cut down on taking other medicines like ibuprofen when taking this, and when they stop taking it for any period of time, they feel the difference.
Fresh Nutrition Green-Lipped Mussels
There are some potential advantages of taking a green-lipped mussel supplement as compared to taking fish oil. However Omega XL is expensive, and to be that pricey, doesn’t have reviews that are particularly impressive.
The fresh Nutrition Green-Lipped Mussels product is better, in our opinion. It’s very affordable, first of all.
It also has mostly positive reviews.
Many users say they find that this product is effective and helps them feel less pain and generally feel better. For example, people say it helps with their hip and joint issues.
There are some reviewers that say they’ve tried a lot of other products, and this one has been most effective for them.
For a fraction of the cost of Omega XL, you can get the benefits of green-lipped mussels.
Theracrumin
Theracurmin from Integrative Therapeutics is one of our favorite supplements.
It’s a curcumin supplement that is the most absorbable of its kind.
While we know that curcumin is a powerful anti-inflammatory substance, the problem is that it’s not very bioavailable traditionally. That means our body can’t absorb it and use it. Most of the curcumin or turmeric you take in a normal supplement leaves your body.
Theracurmin HP is made in a unique way so that it has 27 times the bioavailability of normal curcumin supplements.
There is a significant amount of clinical research to back up the benefits and effectiveness of Theracrumin HP in general, particularly compared to other curcumin supplements.
Final Thoughts
So what does this all mean? Do we recommend Omega XL?
While we couldn’t find any evidence that you’d be likely to experience adverse effects from taking Omega XL, we also didn’t think that the reviews were impressive enough to warrant such a high price tag.
The alternatives we recommended above are to us a better option than Omega XL for joint pain, arthritis, or inflammation.
Even among green-lipped mussel supplements, in particular, we think there are better, more effective, and less expensive options available.
Ashley Sutphin Watkins
This post contains affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products or services that we trust and believe will add value to our readers. Your support helps keep this website running and allows us to continue providing valuable content. Thank you for your support!"
