How Can I Reduce Fish Oil Gas and Burps?

November 30, 2025 •

4 min read

Approximately 20% of people who take fish oil supplements experience digestive issues such as gas, bloating, and unpleasant fishy burps. Understanding the root cause of this discomfort is the first step toward effective mitigation and can help anyone wondering how can I reduce fish oil gas and its side effects.

Quick Summary

Several methods can minimize or eliminate digestive discomfort from fish oil. Strategies include optimizing intake timing, selecting different supplement forms, and properly storing products to maintain freshness and potency.

Key Points

Timing is Key: Taking fish oil capsules with a fatty meal significantly improves absorption and reduces the likelihood of burping.
Choose Enteric-Coated Supplements: These capsules are designed to bypass the stomach, preventing the release of oil and the associated reflux and burps.
Check for Freshness: Low-quality or rancid fish oil is a major cause of unpleasant burps. Always opt for fresh, high-quality products and check for signs of oxidation.
Consider Alternatives: If fish oil continues to cause issues, explore other omega-3 sources like krill oil (better absorption) or algae oil (plant-based and fish-free).
Proper Storage Matters: Storing fish oil in a cool, dark place like the refrigerator or freezer can slow oxidation and minimize burping.
Split High Doses: Dividing your daily fish oil dose across multiple meals can prevent your digestive system from being overwhelmed and reduce gas.

Understanding the Causes of Fish Oil Gas and Burps

Fish oil supplements are a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, namely EPA and DHA, which offer numerous health benefits for the brain, heart, and joints. However, for some individuals, these benefits come with the unpleasant side effect of gas and fish-flavored burps. The primary reasons for this discomfort are related to how the body digests the supplement.

Why Do Fishy Burps Happen?

Digestion in the stomach: Standard gelatin capsules dissolve in the stomach's acidic environment. If the capsule releases its oil content here and it rises to the top of the stomach's contents, it can cause acid reflux and burping.
Oxidized or rancid oil: Fish oil is prone to oxidation, especially when exposed to heat, light, or oxygen. Old or low-quality fish oil that has become rancid can have a much stronger, more unpleasant flavor and smell, leading to more noticeable burps.
Dosage and concentration: Taking a high dose of fish oil at once can overwhelm the digestive system, leading to issues. Similarly, lower concentration supplements require more capsules for the same amount of omega-3, increasing the volume of oil to be processed.
Individual sensitivity: Some people are simply more sensitive to dietary fats and have a harder time digesting them, which can lead to increased gas and bloating when supplementing with fish oil.

Practical Strategies to Reduce Fish Oil Gas

Fortunately, there are several effective and easy-to-implement strategies to help minimize or completely eliminate fish oil-related gas and burps.

Optimize Your Timing and Dosage

Take with meals: Consuming your fish oil with food, especially a meal containing other healthy fats like avocado or nuts, can significantly improve absorption and reduce side effects. The food helps mix the oil with stomach contents, preventing it from floating to the top.
Split your dose: If your recommended dose is more than one capsule, consider splitting it throughout the day. Taking one capsule with breakfast and another with dinner can reduce the amount of oil your body has to process at one time, minimizing discomfort.
Take at night: Some people find that taking fish oil right before bed can help, as they can sleep through any potential burping that might occur.

Choose the Right Type of Supplement

Enteric-coated capsules: These supplements have a special coating that prevents them from dissolving in the stomach. Instead, they pass into the small intestine before releasing their contents, which drastically reduces the chances of fishy burps.
High-quality, fresh oil: Choose a reputable brand with third-party certifications like IFOS or USP, which verify the product's purity, potency, and freshness. Fresh, molecularly distilled oil is less likely to cause burps because it has fewer volatile compounds.
Consider alternative omega-3 sources:
- Krill oil: Omega-3s in krill oil are bound to phospholipids, which may improve absorption and reduce the likelihood of burps for some individuals.
- Algae oil: A great plant-based option for vegetarians and vegans, algae oil provides DHA and sometimes EPA without any fishy taste or burps.

Improve Digestion with Storage and Aids

Here are a few quick tips for immediate relief:

Refrigerate or freeze capsules: Storing your softgels in the refrigerator or freezer can slow the breakdown of the capsule in the stomach, reducing reflux.
Take with lipase: Consider taking a digestive enzyme supplement containing lipase (an enzyme that breaks down fats) alongside your fish oil to aid in digestion.
Check for rancidity: If your fish oil smells or tastes strongly like fish, it may be rancid. Break open a capsule to check the smell. If it's rancid, it's time to replace it.

Comparing Supplement Options for Less Gas


Feature	Standard Fish Oil	Enteric-Coated Fish Oil	Krill Oil	Algae Oil
Cost	Low	Medium	High	High
Burp Potential	High	Low	Low	None (Fish-Free)
Absorption	Variable	Good	Very Good	Good
Source	Fish (Anchovy, Sardine, Mackerel)	Fish	Krill	Algae
Key Benefit	Widely available, low cost	Prevents stomach burps	Improved absorption	Vegan-friendly, no fish taste
Typical Form	Softgel	Coated Softgel	Smaller Softgel	Softgel/Liquid

Conclusion: Finding the Right Approach for You

Addressing fish oil gas and burps often involves a multi-pronged approach that combines strategic intake methods with selecting the right product. Begin by assessing the quality of your current supplement and ensure it is not rancid. Next, adjust your routine by taking the capsules with a meal, splitting your dose, or taking it at night. If these simple changes don't work, consider upgrading to a high-quality enteric-coated formula, which is designed to bypass the stomach and prevent reflux. For those seeking alternatives, krill oil offers excellent absorption, while algae oil provides a complete fish-free solution. By experimenting with these methods, you can enjoy the health benefits of omega-3s without the unwanted digestive side effects. For more information on quality supplements, you can consult reputable sources here.

Frequently Asked Questions

You may get gas from fish oil due to the high fat content, which can be harder for some people to digest. If the capsule dissolves in the stomach, the oil can float on top of other contents, leading to belching and gas.

Yes, taking fish oil with a meal, particularly one containing other fats, is one of the most effective strategies to reduce gas. The food helps mix the oil into the stomach contents, allowing for smoother digestion.

Enteric-coated capsules are specially designed to resist stomach acid. They pass through the stomach and only dissolve once they reach the small intestine, preventing the oil from causing reflux or burps.

Yes, refrigerating or even freezing your fish oil can help. Colder temperatures slow down the oxidation process, keeping the oil fresher and reducing the chances of unpleasant, rancid-tasting burps.

Yes, rancid or oxidized fish oil often has a more potent, fishy smell and flavor. This can lead to more noticeable and unpleasant burps compared to fresh, high-quality oil.

Yes. Krill oil contains omega-3s bound to phospholipids, which can be easier on the stomach. Algae oil is a plant-based alternative that provides omega-3s without any fish-related side effects.

Yes, some people find that taking a digestive enzyme supplement that contains lipase, an enzyme that breaks down fats, can help their body process fish oil more efficiently, reducing gas and burping.