DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)

Is algal oil DHA as good as fish oil DHA?

Updated 9 Nov 2026

Short answer

For raising blood DHA, it appears so. In a trial in 74 adults over 14 weeks, DHA and EPA from microalgal oil raised blood levels as well as fish oil.[1] Five of the 6 authors are employed by the company dsm-firmenich.[1] In a 2-week trial in 32 adults, 600 mg of DHA a day from algal oil capsules raised plasma DHA by about 80%, the same as cooked salmon.[2]

Algal oils are a vegetarian source of DHA, and some also contain EPA.[3] They usually give 100 to 300 mg of DHA, as triglycerides.[4] In 11 trials, DHA from algal oil lowered triglycerides by 0.20 mmol/L.[5]

Sources (5)

  1. Comparative Bioavailability of DHA and EPA from Microalgal and Fish Oil in Adults. Bailey E, Wojcik J, Rahn M, Roos F, Spooren A, Koshibu K Int J Mol Sci, 2025. PMID 41096614
  2. Algal-oil capsules and cooked salmon: nutritionally equivalent sources of docosahexaenoic acid. Arterburn LM, Oken HA, Bailey Hall E, Hamersley J, Kuratko CN, Hoffman JP J Am Diet Assoc, 2008. PMID 18589030
  3. Omega-3 Supplements: What You Need To Know. NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 2024. www.nccih.nih.gov
  4. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. ods.od.nih.gov
  5. A meta-analysis shows that docosahexaenoic acid from algal oil reduces serum triglycerides and increases HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in persons without coronary heart disease. Bernstein AM, Ding EL, Willett WC, Rimm EB J Nutr, 2012. PMID 22113870

More about dha (docosahexaenoic acid)

What is DHA?Does DHA lower inflammation?How much DHA is recommended in pregnancy?What is the difference between DHA and EPA?What is DHA used for?Can the body make its own DHA?

For education; not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change a supplement.