Omega XL is one of those supplements people often ask about after seeing the TV ads. It’s promoted for joint pain, arthritis, and inflammation, but the real question is simple: does Omega XL actually work, or is it just expensive hype? In this review, I’ll break down the human research on Omega XL, also known as PCSO-524 and Lyprinol, and explain what the studies show about joint pain, muscle soreness, asthma, ADHD, side effects, and whether it’s worth the money.
Written by Joe Cannon, MS. Originally published in 2018. Updated July 2026 with new research and a revised evidence summary.
Quick Answer: Does Omega XL Work?
Omega XL may help some people with joint pain, arthritis, or muscle soreness, but the evidence looks mixed. Some human studies suggest the active ingredient in Omega XL, called PCSO-524, may reduce pain, soreness, or asthma-related symptoms. Other studies show little or no benefit.
My opinion: the supplement is not just regular fish oil, and I would not call it a scam. But I also do not think the research proves it works like a miracle joint-pain supplement.
The biggest problems? Some positive studies did not include a placebo group. Other studies included small numbers of people or allowed people to keep using pain medicine. Those issues make the results harder to interpret.
If you try Omega XL, give it about 4 to 8 weeks, track your pain, watch for side effects, and decide whether the monthly cost matches the results.
Author Opinion
I’ve reviewed dietary supplements for over 30 years, and Omega XL has more human research than many joint supplements. That gives it an advantage. But I would not put it in the “strong evidence” category. The arthritis research is interesting, but some of the best-looking studies had weak designs. The muscle soreness research looks more promising in beginners than trained athletes. My practical advice: try the supplement only if the cost makes sense to you, track your pain for 4 to 8 weeks, and stop buying it if you do not notice a clear, meaningful difference.
What Is Omega XL?
Omega XL is a dietary supplement that sellers advertise mostly for joint pain, arthritis, and inflammation. You may have seen it on TV.
The active ingredient comes from the New Zealand green-lipped mussel, also called Perna canaliculus.
Researchers usually call the ingredient:
PCSO-524
You may also see Omega XL research listed under other names, including:
- Lyprinol
- PCSO-524
- Green-lipped mussel lipid extract
- Perna canaliculus lipid extract
This matters because most studies do not use the name “Omega XL” in the title. They often use Lyprinol or PCSO-524 instead.
In general, studies on Lyprinol or PCSO-524 apply to Omega XL.
Is Omega XL Just Fish Oil?
No. This is not just regular fish oil.
Regular fish oil usually comes from fish such as anchovies, sardines, mackerel, or salmon. Fish oil usually contains the omega-3 fats EPA and DHA.
Omega XL comes from the green-lipped mussel. It contains a patented marine oil extract called PCSO-524. It also contains omega fatty acids, olive oil, and vitamin E.
That said, different does not automatically mean better.
The real question is not:
Is it different than fish oil?
but rather:
Does it work well enough to justify the price?
That is where the research gets more complicated.
Omega XL Ingredients
From the supplement facts label I reviewed, 2 softgels contained 300 mg of a proprietary blend. That blend included:
- Green-lipped mussel oil extract, listed as PCSO-524
- Extra virgin olive oil
- d-alpha tocopherol, which is vitamin E
The green-lipped mussel extract provides the key ingredient. The olive oil and vitamin E probably do not add much to the supplement’s benefits.
Omega XL has also sold a Sport product that contained 600 mg per 2 softgels.
Here is one problem: The supplement uses a proprietary blend. That means the label may not clearly tell you exactly how much PCSO-524, EPA, or DHA you get in each serving.
That makes it harder to compare Omega XL to regular fish oil or other green-lipped mussel supplements.
How Does Green-Lipped Mussel Extract Work?
Sellers market this formula as an anti-inflammatory supplement.
The proposed active ingredient, PCSO-524, may influence inflammatory pathways in the body, including pathways involving enzymes called COX and LOX.
Here is the simple version.
When tissues become irritated, injured, or inflamed, the body makes chemical signals that can increase pain and swelling. Some anti-inflammatory drugs block parts of this process. Omega XL may calm down some of those inflammatory signals.
That sounds good.
But sounding good does not prove it works in people.
So let’s look at the human research.
Omega XL Human Research: Big Picture
The supplement has more human research than many joint supplements. That gives it a big advantage.
But the evidence does not all point in the same direction.
| Use | Evidence strength | Bottom line |
|---|---|---|
| Joint pain/arthritis | Mixed | May help some people, but several studies have design problems |
| Muscle soreness | Mixed | Looks more promising in untrained people than trained athletes |
| Asthma | Limited and mixed | Interesting, but not a replacement for asthma medicine |
| ADHD | Preliminary | One study, not enough to call it an ADHD treatment |
| Heart disease | Weak | No direct proof it prevents heart attacks or strokes |
| Cancer | Weak | No proof it treats cancer |
Omega XL for Joint Pain and Arthritis
Most people buy this supplement for joint pain. Several human studies suggest Lyprinol or PCSO-524 may reduce pain, stiffness, or improve mobility in people with osteoarthritis. That sounds promising. But several positive studies used weaker designs.
For example, some studies did not include a placebo group or included small numbers of people. In others, participants were allowed to take pain medication, such as acetaminophen, during the study.
Those things matter.
Pain changes from week to week. Arthritis pain can improve due to rest, changes in activity, warmer weather, better sleep, weight loss, physical therapy, pain medication, or the natural ups and downs of arthritis.
That is why placebo-controlled studies matter so much.
Omega XL Arthritis Research Table
| Study | People | Design | Dose/duration | Results | Main problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arthritis patients (1998) | 30 people with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Men/women | Randomized trial comparing green-lipped mussel lipid extract with green-lipped mussel powder | Lyprinol 210 mg/day or mussel powder 1150 mg/day for 3 months | Both groups reported less pain, swelling, and stiffness | No true placebo group |
| Hip and knee osteoarthritis patients (2003) | 60 people, 54 completed. Men/women: NR. Average age: NR. | Multicenter open-label clinical trial | Lyprinol 600 mg/day for 8 weeks | Researchers reported significant improvement in osteoarthritis symptoms | No placebo group |
| Knee osteoarthritis patients (2004) | 80 enrolled, 67 completed. Men/women: NR. Average age: NR. | Double-blind, placebo-controlled study | Lyprinol vs placebo for 6 months. Dose not clearly stated in your original review | Lyprinol did not clearly beat placebo for pain perception | People could use acetaminophen, which may have blurred results |
| Inflammatory rheumatoid disorders (2004) | 50 adults. Men/women: NR. Average age: NR. | 12-week drug-monitoring study | Combination product containing Lyprinol plus high EPA/DHA fish oil | Some people reduced arthritis medication use | Not pure Omega XL, no placebo group |
| Knee or hip osteoarthritis patients (2013) | 50 people, 44 women and 6 men. Average age about 65. | Randomized trial comparing PCSO-524 to fish oil, no placebo | 1200 mg Lyprinol/day, providing 400 mg PCSO-524, for 12 weeks | PCSO-524 group reported better pain and quality-of-life scores than fish oil | No placebo group, so placebo effect remains possible |
The 2013 osteoarthritis trial reported that PCSO-524 performed better than fish oil for pain and quality-of-life measures, but the trial did not include a placebo group. That makes the study interesting, but not definitive.
Bottom Line on Green-Lipped Mussel Exract for Arthritis
Here is how I would summarize the arthritis research: The supplement may reduce joint pain in some people, but the best evidence does not prove it definitely works for everyone. That does not mean nobody will feel better. Some people probably do. But I do not think the evidence supports miracle-level advertising.
If you try Omega XL for arthritis, give it 4 to 8 weeks and track your pain honestly.
If nothing changes, save your money.
Omega XL for Muscle Soreness and Exercise Recovery
Researchers have also tested this green-lipped mussel extract supplement for delayed-onset muscle soreness, often called DOMS.
DOMS is the soreness people feel after exercise, especially after doing something they are not used to doing.
The research here also looks mixed.
Some studies suggest that PCSO-524 may reduce muscle soreness after exercise, especially in people who are not well-trained. But one study in trained athletes did not show clear benefits.
That pattern makes sense.
Untrained people often get more sore after hard exercise. If Omega XL has an anti-inflammatory effect, researchers may see benefits more easily in beginners or people doing unusually hard workouts.
Omega XL Muscle Soreness Research Table
| Study | People | Design | Dose/duration | Results | Main problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Well-trained male athletes (2011) | 20 men. Women: 0. Average age 25.3 years. | Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial | 200 mg Lyprinol/day for 8 weeks before downhill running | No significant benefit for soreness, muscle damage, inflammation, pain, or performance | Small study, trained men only |
| Distance runners after 30 km run (2013) | 32 runners, 28 men and 4 women. Median age 45, range 28 to 53. | Single-blind, placebo-controlled trial | 400 mg PCSO-524/day for 11 weeks | Soreness fell by 1.1 units compared with placebo; effect looked greater in lesser-trained runners | Single-blind design, modest effect |
| Untrained men after downhill running (2015) | 32 men. Women: 0. Average age 22.0 years. | Randomized, placebo-controlled trial | 1200 mg PCSO-524/day for 26 days before exercise and 96 hours after | Less DOMS at 72 and 96 hours, less strength loss, and better muscle-damage/inflammation markers | Young untrained men only |
| Untrained men, PCSO-524 vs ESPO-572 (2020) | 51 men, 0 women. Average age about 21.7 years in recruited sample. | Randomized, double-blind, parallel-group comparison | 600 mg/day PCSO-524 or ESPO-572 for 26 days before downhill running and 72 hours after | Both products reduced some exercise-damage outcomes; ESPO-572 protected range of motion better in some comparisons | ESPO-572 also contained krill oil, so it was not pure PCSO-524 |
In the 2011 trained-athlete study, researchers reported no statistically significant differences between Lyprinol and placebo for any measured outcome. The 2013 runner study reported less soreness after PCSO-524, especially in lesser-trained runners.
The 2015 untrained-men study reported less DOMS, less strength loss, and better muscle-damage markers with PCSO-524 compared with placebo. The later ESPO-572 study compared PCSO-524 with a product that combined PCSO-524 and krill oil, so it helps the recovery discussion but does not prove Omega XL alone works better than placebo.
Bottom Line on Omega XL for Muscle Soreness
Omega XL may help reduce muscle soreness in some people after exercise, especially beginners or those just starting an exercise program.
But I would not call it a guaranteed recovery supplement.
If you already train hard on a regular basis, the evidence looks less convincing.
Omega XL for Asthma
Researchers have also tested this supplement to see if it helps asthma.
This may surprise people because most advertising focuses on joint pain.
Some adult asthma studies look interesting. One randomized clinical trial in people with asthma found improvements in wheezing and peak expiratory flow after people took Lyprinol.
Another study looked at people with asthma who had airway narrowing during heavy breathing. This can happen during exercise. In that study, PCSO-524 improved the airway response compared with placebo.
But the asthma research does not all look positive. For example, a children’s asthma study did not show strong benefits for asthma symptoms.
So the asthma evidence looks interesting, but not strong enough to use it as a treatment.
Omega XL Asthma Research Table
| Study | People | Design | Dose/duration | Results | Main problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adults with mild atopic asthma (2002) | 46 people. Men/women: NR. Average age: NR. | Randomized, placebo-controlled trial | Lyprinol, 2 capsules twice daily for 8 weeks | Less wheezing, improved peak expiratory flow, and lower exhaled hydrogen peroxide | Small study |
| Children with moderate asthma (2012) | 71 children, ages 6 to 13. Boys/girls: NR. Average age: NR. | Double-blind, randomized controlled trial | 600 mg Lyprinol/day for 16 weeks | Did not clearly improve asthma symptoms compared with placebo | Children only, results not strongly positive |
| Adults with asthma and airway narrowing during heavy breathing (2013) | 20 adults with asthma. | Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial | PCSO-524 / Lyprinol / Omega XL for 3 weeks, with washout | Improved airway response and some inflammation markers | Small study |
The 2002 asthma trial concluded that green-lipped mussel lipid extract may have some benefit in atopic asthma. The 2013 trial tested people with asthma and hyperpnea-induced bronchoconstriction and concluded that PCSO-524 may have beneficial effects in that setting.
Bottom Line on Omega XL for Asthma
Omega XL may help some asthma-related outcomes in adults, but the research remains limited and inconsistent.
If you have asthma, talk to your doctor before trying it. Asthma can become serious quickly.
Omega XL and ADHD
Most people do not connect this formula with ADHD, but researchers have looked at PCSO-524 and omega-3 supplements in children and adolescents with attention and hyperactivity symptoms.
One human study tested PCSO-524, the patented green-lipped mussel extract associated with Omega XL. A later 2019 systematic review looked more broadly at omega-3 supplements for ADHD, not Omega XL specifically.
Omega XL ADHD Research Table
| Study | People | Design | Dose/duration | Results | Main problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Children and adolescents with clinical or subclinical ADHD symptoms (2017) | 144 participants, 123 boys and 21 girls. Ave age 8.7 years. | Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial | PCSO-524 or placebo for 14 weeks | Primary outcome did not clearly beat placebo, but some subgroup and memory findings favored PCSO-524 | One study, mixed findings, exploratory subgroup results |
| Children and adolescents with ADHD in omega-3 trials (2019) | 7 randomized controlled trials totaling 926 participants. Men/women: not clearly summarized in the review. Ages 3 to 18 were eligible. | Systematic review of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled omega-3 trials using Conners’ rating scales | Omega-3 supplements for at least 8 weeks | Overall, omega-3 groups showed slightly greater symptom-score reductions, but the findings were not statistically significant. Both omega-3 and placebo groups improved similarly. | This was not an Omega XL-specific review. |
The 2019 review is important because it puts the PCSO-524 ADHD study into perspective. The authors searched multiple databases for randomized controlled trials of omega-3 supplements in children and adolescents with ADHD. They found 7 trials with 926 participants.
Overall, omega-3 supplements did not show a statistically significant advantage over placebo. The authors concluded there was little supportive evidence that omega-3 supplementation reduces ADHD symptoms in children and adolescents
Bottom Line on Omega XL and ADHD
The ADHD research is interesting, but I would not make too much of it at this point.
One study tested PCSO-524 and found some signals that looked favorable, but the primary outcome did not clearly beat placebo. The 2019 review of omega-3 supplements for ADHD also found little supportive evidence overall. The supplement should not be considered an ADHD treatment.
Does Omega XL Help Heart Disease?
Some ads and sellers may make people think the supplement supports heart health because it contains omega-3 fatty acids.
But as far as I can tell, human studies have not shown that Omega XL reduces heart attacks, strokes, or heart disease.
That matters.
Researchers have studied omega-3 fatty acids and heart health. But we cannot automatically apply general fish oil research to this specific supplement.
Does Omega XL Help Cancer?
No good human evidence shows the Omega XL supplement treats cancer.
Omega XL Cancer Research Summary
| Study | People | Design | Dose/duration | Results | Main problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced prostate and breast cancer safety study (2010) | 17 people with advanced breast or prostate cancer. 15 men with prostate and 2 women with breast cancer | Phase I open-label safety/tolerability study | Green-lipped mussel lipid extract, 260 mg capsules, twice daily schedule | Mostly tolerated, but liver problems occurred in 2 people according to your original review | Safety study, not proof Omega XL treats cancer |
Researchers conducted a small safety study using green-lipped mussel lipid extract in 17 people with advanced prostate cancer or breast cancer. But they mainly looked at safety and tolerability. They did not prove the supplement treats cancer. Two people in that preliminary cancer study (about 12%) developed liver problems.
That does not prove that green-lipped mussel extract causes liver damage. But it should remind people -especially those with cancer, liver disease, or those taking several medications -to keep their doctor in the loop about the supplements they take.
Omega XL Side Effects
Most human studies did not report serious side effects. That is good.
But “small studies did not report major side effects” does not mean “no risk.”
Possible marine oil extract side effects may include:
- Upset stomach
- Fishy or shellfish-like aftertaste
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Allergic reaction in people with shellfish allergy
- Possible concern if taking blood thinners
- Possible concern before surgery
- Possible concern in people with liver disease
At least one case report linked liver problems with Lyprinol use. This does not prove Lyprinol commonly causes liver problems, but people should know about it.
Omega XL Side Effects and Safety Summary
| Safety issue | What to know | My take |
|---|---|---|
| Shellfish allergy | Omega XL comes from mussels | Avoid unless your doctor says otherwise |
| Blood thinners/aspirin | Omega XL contains marine oils and omega fatty acids | Ask your doctor or pharmacist first |
| Surgery | Many supplements may increase bleeding or interact with medicines | Stop at least 2 weeks before surgery unless your doctor says otherwise |
| Liver problems | Liver issues appeared in a case report and in 2 people in the cancer safety study | Rare, but worth taking seriously |
| Pregnancy / breastfeeding | I did not find strong safety data | Avoid unless your doctor approves |
| Children | One ADHD study exists, but that does not make it a general children’s supplement | Talk to a pediatrician first |
Who Should Avoid Omega XL?
Speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking if you:
- Are allergic to shellfish
- Take blood thinner medications
- Take aspirin every day
- Have liver disease
- Have cancer
- Have surgery scheduled
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Take several medications
- Plan to give it to a child
Stop taking and get medical help if you develop:
- Trouble breathing
- Swelling of the lips, face, or throat
- Hives
- Severe stomach pain
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Dark urine
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
How Long Does Omega XL Take To Work?
Based on the arthritis studies, the supplement would probably take about 4 to 8 weeks to help if it works for you.
Some people may notice changes sooner. Others may notice nothing.
If you try it, do not rely on memory. Track your symptoms.
Write down:
- Your pain level before starting
- How many capsules you take per day
- Your pain level after 4 weeks
- Your pain level after 8 weeks
- Whether you used more or less pain medicine
- Any side effects
- How much it costs each month
If you feel no meaningful difference after 8 weeks, I would question whether it makes sense to keep buying it.
How Much Omega XL Did Studies Use?
Researchers used different doses in different studies.
Some studies used about 600 mg per day. Others used about 1200 mg per day of Lyprinol or related PCSO-524 products.
In the osteoarthritis study comparing PCSO-524 to fish oil, researchers used 1200 mg per day of Lyprinol, which provided 400 mg of PCSO-524.
Omega XL vs Fish Oil
It is not regular fish oil.
But does it work better?
One study found PCSO-524 performed better than fish oil in people with osteoarthritis. But that study did not include a placebo group. Because of that, I would not use it to claim Omega XL works better than fish oil for everyone.
Fish oil usually costs less. Fish oil labels often tell you exactly how much EPA and DHA you get. Omega XL may cost more, and the label may not make dose comparisons easy.
My Thoughts
If someone asks me, “Is Omega XL better than fish oil?” my answer would be: maybe for some people, but the evidence does not prove the supplement clearly works better for joint pain.
Omega XL Customer Reviews and Complaints
Customer reviews look mixed but good for the most part.
On Amazon, the supplement has over 38K reviews and has a 4.2 out of 5 stars rating. About 70% of customers there gave it 5 stars. Those who gave it 3 or fewer stars stated:
- It didn't work
- Caused gas/heartburn
- Had a rancid /fishey odor (one purchase only)
- Promoted an allergic reaction
- Raised blood sugar
- Expensive
While customer reviews can help, they do not prove the supplement works or doesn't work.
Here is why.
People who love a supplement often leave glowing reviews. People who didn't benefit may leave angry reviews. People who felt nothing may never leave a review at all. So I would not base my decision only on testimonials. Use reviews to learn about common complaints. Use human studies to judge whether the product has real evidence.
Is Omega XL Worth the Money?
Relatively speaking this is not a cheap supplement. If it works for you and you can afford it, that is one thing. But if you are stretching your budget, compare:
- The monthly cost
- The number of capsules needed per day
- The dose used in human studies
- The refund policy
- Whether you are signing up for recurring billing
- The cost of regular fish oil
- The cost of other green-lipped mussel supplements
- Whether the label clearly lists active ingredients
The supplement may help some people. But based on the research, I do not think the evidence justifies overpaying.
Is Omega XL Better Than Other Green-Lipped Mussel Supplements?
Maybe. Maybe not.
It has an advantage because much of the research involves PCSO-524, Lyprinol, or related patented green-lipped mussel lipid extracts.
But that does not automatically mean no other green-lipped mussel supplement can work.
With other products, look for:
- Green-lipped mussel oil, not just powder
- Amount per serving
- PCSO-524 on the label
- Third-party testing
- EPA and DHA amounts
- Heavy metal and contaminant testing
- A reputable company
- Clear refund policy
A cheaper product is not always better. But a more expensive product is not automatically better either.
What I Like About Omega XL
Here are the positives:
- Omega XL has human research
- It is not just regular fish oil
- Some studies suggest benefits for joint pain
- Some studies suggest benefits for muscle soreness
- Some asthma research looks interesting
- Most studies did not report major side effects
What I Don’t Like About Omega XL
Here are the problems:
- Some positive arthritis studies did not include a placebo group
- Some studies included small numbers of people
- The label may not clearly show exact active amounts
- It can cost a lot
- Advertisements may overstate the evidence
Omega XL Research Problems
When reading the studies, keep these issues in mind.
Small studies
Many studies included small numbers of people. Small studies can help researchers ask better questions, but they can also mislead people when results get overhyped.
No placebo group
Several arthritis studies did not include a placebo group. This matters because pain can change for many reasons.
Pain medicine could affect the results
Some studies allowed people to use acetaminophen. If people take pain medicine during a study, researchers may have a harder time knowing how much the supplement helped.
Researchers used different doses
Some studies used 600 mg per day. Others used 1200 mg per day. Some used combinations with other oils.
Researchers studied different conditions
Arthritis, asthma, muscle soreness, ADHD, and cancer safety are very different topics.
A positive asthma study does not prove joint pain benefits.
Product names can confuse people
Omega XL, Lyprinol, PCSO-524, and green-lipped mussel lipid extract may overlap, but not every green-lipped mussel product is Omega XL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Omega XL FDA approved?
No. It is a dietary supplement. The FDA does not approve dietary supplements to treat arthritis, joint pain, asthma, ADHD, heart disease, or cancer.
Is Omega XL an anti-inflammatory?
Sellers may market it as an anti-inflammatory supplement. Some studies suggest PCSO-524 may affect inflammation-related pathways. But researchers have not proven that this leads to meaningful pain relief in the average person.
Is Omega XL good for knee pain?
It may help some people with knee pain from osteoarthritis, but the research looks mixed. One placebo-controlled knee osteoarthritis study did not show clear pain improvement over placebo.
Is Omega XL good for back pain?
I am not aware of good human studies showing the supplement helps back pain specifically.
Does Omega XL work for rheumatoid arthritis?
Some older research included people with rheumatoid arthritis, but I do not think the evidence proves it works as a rheumatoid arthritis treatment.
Can Omega XL replace arthritis medicine?
No. Do not stop prescription arthritis medicine without speaking to your doctor.
Can you take Omega XL with fish oil?
Maybe, but ask your doctor or pharmacist first, especially if you take blood thinners, aspirin, or have surgery planned.
Is it safe if you have a shellfish allergy?
I would avoid it unless your allergist says otherwise. Omega XL comes from mussels, which are shellfish.
Does Omega XL help muscle soreness?
Some studies suggest PCSO-524 may reduce muscle soreness after hard exercise, especially in untrained men. But one study found it did not help well-trained athletes.
Does it help ADHD?
One study reported some improvements in ADHD-related symptoms in children and adolescents, but the primary outcome did not clearly beat placebo. That does not make Omega XL an ADHD treatment.
Does Omega XL Work?
Omega XL has far more research than many joint supplements. That counts in its favor. But the evidence looks mixed.
For arthritis and joint pain, some studies look positive, but several have important weaknesses.
For muscle soreness, Omega XL may help untrained people recover from hard exercise, but it looks less impressive in trained athletes.
For asthma, a couple of studies look interesting, but Omega XL should not replace asthma medication.
For ADHD, one study looks interesting, but I would not make too much of it.
Based on the evidence, Omega XL may help some people, but I would not call it a miracle supplement. If you try it, track your pain for 4 to 8 weeks. If you feel better, great. If nothing changes, save your money.
What Do You Think?
Hi Joe!
Couldn’t sleep because the pain in my hands was keeping me awake. Turned on the TV to see Larry King’s infomercial. Got online to research and your unbiased review was exceedingly helpful! Thank you so much for all the work compiling this research in one well-explained document. 🙂
I think I will give a similar less expensive product a try, and hopefully sleep better afterwards.
Now I just have to talk myself out of buying the Power Pressure Cooker XL….
Six Kids, really glad you found my review helpful. I liked yoru website by the way and congrats on your MS degree. Have a wonderful 2016! 🙂
It’s sold on an infomercial, how good can it be?
Why does this product have to be so expensive? The recommended usage is 6 capsules per day, which utilizes a bottle in 10 days. You will have to purchase 3 bottles per month to get everyday use. Is everyday use necessary?
Barry, Well, my guess is paying Larry King and for all the TV advertising plays a role in the price. The fact that there is some research on Lyprinol also likely plays a role too. I did try to break down how much researchers used in the studies. Go back to my review and see if that lines up with what they are recommending. Have you tried other products to see if they work as well as Omega XL? Is Omega XL helping you?
Vey useful review Joe, and certainly appreciate the links to research. I must admit that I worry that these positive reviews and comments posted here and elsewhere could easily be from people paid to do so (which sadly is quite common). For me when I read the research summaries you have provided it seems clear the effects while statistically significant are likely to be modest, however, the supporters who post make claims of wild improvement which the research does not seem to suggest should be possible.
I do know that due to genetic differences some people may experience more or less benefit so that is a confounding factor. I am going to continue to research this and similar problems as at 47 I am myself suffering from joint pain (as well as asthma and back issues). Thank you again for your efforts.
Mark you are welcome. I do try to weed out spammers but anything is possible. I do feel there is value to what people say as thus can bring up stuff I missed. I like to put the emphasis on the studies as this can help put some comments in another light.
This product is the best I can live comfortable now I can clean my own house I can do my own shopping I can bend, lift, stand for longer periods of time.
I use to be in sooooooooo much pain. My life has changed. I know this because when i ran out and had to wait to get my next order i was felling the pain again come back gradually. This is a great product for me
Andrey, great! Really glad to hear it’s helping you!
Excellent article and excellent summary. Your reviews were very thorough and easy to follow. It looks like you covered everything. I feel better already as you have saved me hours of research on this product. I don’t think this product is for me as my joint pain in minimal.
Have you written any articles on Prevagen to improve memory with aging? This is my first time coming across your page, but I am going to make you a favorite.
Thanks again for you easy to follow article.
I just found your article on Prevagen. Again, you have saved me a lot of time (and money). Thanks!
SueZin glad you found me and thanks for the nice words. Always appreciated.
After reading all of this so called information….I still have one question for the author…DOES IT WORK???/ You have talked about whats in it what’s it all about but never have you said if it works. When you review leave something for the consumer to understand. I see nothing so it must work because you have avoided the RIGHT QUESTION. Waste of time!!!
Jo, I know I wrote a lot in this review but did you read the very last section called “Does It Work?” I think I made my thoughts clear there.
I think the answer to does it work, is not so cut and dried. I think the answer is it depends, and there appears to be no definitive answer. For me, I tried the stuff religiously for about 8 months and found no noticeable improvement in my overall well being. But for every one of me, there is another that swears by it. There may be no better solution to simply trying it out to determine if it works for you or not.
I have suffered for almost 10 years with Fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis and chronic pain. Most days I could hardly get outta bed and walk without severe pain all over my body . it started gradual then gotten worse over the years . I finally have a dr.to treat me but he doesn’t truly understand my pain and daily challenges. I take a couple prescriptions for pain control, but I started taking omg xls,a few days ago to see if it might help with all of my stiffness and inflammation.
Too soon to say it’s working 100% But im going to keep trying them,crossing my fingers i may get some relief from this horrible disease!!
Sandra, I can only imagine what you must be going through. I am happy that you have found a doctor who is taking an interest in trying to find the causes of your pain. I do hope omega XL helps you. do keep me updated.
Here is my review of a supplement called Ribose. It has some preliminary evidence that it might help fibromyalgia pain. Some people have said it’s helped them. If you try this, let me know what happens.
I will say a prayer for you today that you become pain free again.
Great article and helpful summary of effectiveness. My personal experience supports some pain relief from an old knee injury when running. I was given a starter subscription and took 600mg of Omega XL for about a year. I noticed less aches and pains in my knee which had an ACL replacement and partial meniscectomy and usually ached with any rigorous exercise.
Because of the cost, I decided to cancel my subscription and just try over the counter Fish Oil. I did that for a year and noticed an increase in aches in my knee. I have returned to Omega XL and, over the past year, feel the same positive effects in my knee.
Just my personal story and your results may vary. Good Luck!
John, thanks for sharing. I’m happy Omega XL is helping you.
I have been using Omega XL for the past 2 months. My overall well-being is improved as I was ill for the year 2014. I feel so much more alive. I also noticed that my blood sugar is regulated now. I intend to stay with this product for a while.
Mernell, thanks for the feedback. I am happy that Omega Xl is helping you.
very informative,I have tried Omega XL for 30 days and been relieved from pain in the back,hands,and muscles behind the legs and thighs.
F, thanks for the feedback and I’m really glad Omega XL has helped you.
The patent that Pharmalink / Lyprinol have is coming off very soon and then the price will almost certainly drop as there are a number of companies waiting in the wings and will hit the ground running when the protection expires. The only problem with Lyprinol (apart from price and a preacher selling it from the pulpit) is that the oil is mainly in triglyceride form because of the manner of extraction. Krill oil is much richer in phospholipids, a much more bio-available form.
When you consider that every cell in your body ( all 34 trillion of them) has 50% of a Phospholipid ( phosphatidylcholine) in the outer wall, and these cells are dying at an great rate, it becomes important to replace these phospholipids. We produce a green lipped mussel oil that is also rich in phospholipids simply because we use an ethanol extraction but krill oil has certainly taken the world by storm. A lot of it is hype but it is a good oil.
Joe, I see you sell your own version of green lipped mussel extract (Tripernol). Have you published any clinical trials on your product (published, peer reviewed studies) to prove to people that it is better than Omega XL or any other green lipped mussel product? I didn’t see any when I looked at your website.
HI Joe, I am 60 yrs old, 10 years ago I had to practically had to drag my right foot to walk I think because of hip arthritis. I used ground provisions (cassava,yams etc.) for 14 days, it can be eaten with any other food 3 times per day. 5 yrs. ago same thing happened to a lesser extent repeated the treatment I am good as gold today. I tell every one about this and yet to see some one try it. Maybe because it’s free.
Charlie, that’s interesting. Ive never heard of it but Im glad it helped you.
Joe, I agree with the other comments above that this is a very thorough review and it saved me quite a bit of time trying to research the information myself. My grandmother had taken the Omega XL and did find that it was helpful; however, being on a fixed budget, she was looking at other options that may be beneficial to help with joint pain.
I will pass along the information from your review and may suggest that she try the Lyprinol. Thanks again and I wish you much success with your site.
mairmcninja, thanks, Im happy I was able to help you. I’ll say a prayer for your grandmother tonight too.
I have been using Omega XL for the past 14 weeks. During that time, I have taken no less than 3 capsules per day and up to six capsules per day, with four being the norm. I am healthy, in pretty good shape and 46 years old but I have some arthritic type pain in several joints. I also have suffered from allergies my entire life.
During the time I have taken OmegaXL, I have seen zero benefits. It is also quite costly as they have recommended I double my dosage so now my monthly bill runs about $100.
I would hate to disuay people with problems from using this product if it will actually work for you, I can only speak from my own personal experience having used the product religiously over an adequate time to receive the benefits.
Dray, really sorry omega xl hasn’t helped you but I truly appreciate you taking the time to write and share your experiences with the product. I’d agree that if it’s not working after taking it almost 4 months, then upping the amount probably wouldn’t change things.
The good news is you say you are pretty healthy overall so that I am glad for.
I’m curious about Naturenedics’ use of “re-esterified triglyceride” Form said to be more easily absorbed effectively? I’m trying to decide between that and another highly rated one with with the usual Ethyl Esters form. Both are at Amazon. Thanks for any help.
Andrys, I don’t think it makes a difference. If you take it with food you should be absorbing it no matter what form it is. A good book on omega 3 fats that I own that answers a lot of questions about them is The Omega 3 Handbook.
Thanks for that book recommendation and glad it’s in Kindle format. I have one other question.
The other thing I liked about the first-mentioned company’s product is that they submit recent samples for 3rd-party lab testing and post the results on the product page, for whatever that’s worth. Others have IFOS ratings while some don’t and I see one reviewer considers that important. Hard to decide. Thanks for any thoughts (and for this very useful page).
Andrys, glad to help. For me, when I look at evidence That says something is absorbed better or faster, I always wonder if that means it works better. They are not always the same thing. I’d ask the companies for proof that they work better (reduce heart disease risk etc) than lesser expensive brands. The assumption is they would but be but I like to see the proof for myself.
I’m not aware of any but I’m always open to seeing any new research that’s out there. If you ever find any I hope you will let me know.
Because I’m temporarily on high-dose omeprazole, have been concerned about a tendency of some (in studies) of a decreased ability to absorb Vitamin B12. In that case, the results can be disastrous.
But re Omega-3, today’s my first day looking up pages on it (and I don’t like what I read about Omega XL owner’s billing and selling practices) but am intrigued by what some with joint pain (which a friend has) have experienced with some alternatives (whether because of the combo of ingredients or because of faith).
So am interested in the product that uses the triglyceride form for that reason.
You refer us to relevant Amazon pages. The company I mentioned seems newer but has it in triglyceride form, seems more transparent in dealings, and maybe when you have time you could look at what they say about this. They cite studies in certain years but they’ll need to give the citations.
Maybe you could wring it out of them 🙂 I wondered if Dray might benefit from that if it -can- make a difference.
Andrys, since we store vitamin B12 (we have 2-3 years worth stored up), unless your a vegetarian or have trouble absorbing vitamin B12 I dont think you have to worry about that effect of omeprazole especially if you are only on it temporarily. You can always get B2 checked by your doctor if you are on it long term.
I hear ya about companies that say “studies” but dont list them. Ive seen it before and it frustrates me too.If they have a contact # you can always call them and ask for the studies (maybe customer service might be able to direct you?).
Good advice on all of that. Thanks. I had been more worried about the apparent tendency of those over 50 to be more vulnerable to fractures or bone loss with high doses of Omeprazole for even less than a year. Have found your Facebook page and will follow it. I like your balanced approach.
Andrys, That’s interesting. One of the best things we can do to stimulate bone density is some type of resistance training so do consider that if you are not. Even some push ups against your kitchen sink can help. Vitamin D is also involved (get your vitamin D levels checked just in case. Its been my experience that many of us are low in vitamin D). Thanks I appreciate that on FB. I’m always posting stuff there 🙂
Will do. Already doing 5-lb hand weights. Am 75, so some loss is already inevitable. Just curbing it where I can. Will check Vitamin D. Thanks again, Joe. 🙂
Lovely gathering of useful information on Omega XL i appreciate the effort to create a site worthy of the ad sense revenue i hope its creating for you. This site is of real value.
I wanted to add one thing as the vitamin E is useful. It is there to prevent spoilage by oxidation and some other studies speculate that having it bioavalable may help in both absorption and in potentiating the best possible biochemistry in persons with low vitamin E.
The second claim is very contentious but the notion it helps with protection against spoilage due to oxidation is not. Anyway just thought they might be useful to many.
One thing that I wish omega XL would make more clear is how much of the traditional omega 3 acids are included as well. Is that included in their product info?
At any rate thank you for the efforts you make in providing summarized data without drilling down into detail and That often requires far too much jargon unless that jargon is necessary to understand key differences.
I am forever amazed that more “middle ground” Levels of detail are not compiled for smart lay people who perhaps can read studies or technical white papers but would rather not each time. I will be reading several other reviews on your site as a part of my core introductory sources. I Cannot pay a higher complement to you than that.
One last question, ever get any help from people with medical and bio-chemistry back grounds or better yet do you have any expertise in these areas? I know my background as a bio behavioral researcher has been very helpful to me and in understanding various assertions made by doctors, nutritionists, alterna-therapists, and other possible health and wellness providers/experts
Rob, thanks for your very kind words! From what I’ve read elsewhere (consumerlab.com) it was noted that there was 6.3 mg of EPA and 4.9 mg of DHA in each capsule of omega XL.
My background: yes I do have a BS in chemistry and biology. My MS is in exercise science. I mention this on my About Page too.
I would also like to say thank you for all the work you have done researching this product.
I would just like to ask one question which you may be able to answer. Have you any idea why they haven’t done any research studies on back pain? I have spinal stenosis and spondylosis as well as osteoarthritis in my hips, fingers, neck, etc. I am 46 and long for a more active life. I would like to find a product that might improve my symptoms but not sure if omegaxl would benefit me as most of my pain is in my back.
Hi Sharon, I’m not sure why the lack of back pain- omega XL research. it may be because back pain can be challenging to do or it may be because they just have not gotten around to doing it yet. Lack of research does not necessarily mean something doesn’t work and I can empathize with you on your desire to find something that will help. If you do try omega xl, let me know if it helped or didn’t. I’m curious. If you take any blood thinner meds, do ask your doctor or pharmacist about it first. Even thought their research doesn’t show interaction with blood thinners so far, I like to be cautious just in case.
Thank you Joe,
I wanted to let you know that I have been using Omega XL for the last eight months and will never give it up. This product absolutely works for me and I got results in the first two days. I shattered both my tibia and fibula and shredded both of the ligaments that hold the upper and lower leg together, I have titanium plates and pins and lived with constant swelling and unrelenting pain and stiffness for over three years taking ibuprofen every four hours all that time.
Less than a week after starting with the Omega XL I no longer take any ibuprofen. My knee rarely swells anymore and I also have asthma and rarely if ever use my rescue inhaler anymore either or steroids. This product works exactly as advertised and for me it worked even faster than expected.
From what I have seen online as far as reviews go, most of them seems to be from people who think that this product costs too much, my question to them would be, if you would no longer need asthma medications or NSAIDs then this product is not nearly as expensive because of the savings on other products. Also, there are a lot of people out there who aren’t happy unless they are complaining about something. I don’t have the pain anymore and am not ingesting other products that DO have proven side effects and that makes me very HAPPY.
P. Yohn
Patricia, thanks for writing and that sounded like a heck of an injury you had! I’m really glad Omega XL is helping you.
Thank you very much for this review of the research. It is easy to get your hands on rants or raves about different health products but not always easy to get honest, unbiased information. Your summary of the research done for this product is very good and was a valuable read for my wife and I.
I would make one comment though. Though it does not appear that there are consistent reports of side effects or drug interaction I did find it interesting that the only reported problems that you mentioned all involved potential liver complications. Since my wife has had intermittent problems with her liver this information was very important for us.
Daniel, thanks very much! Please share my review with your friends as I wish more people would be able to read it. Yes I also thought the issue with liver problems was interesting and I also thought it was odd/interesting that no interaction with blood thinners were noticed either – even though Omega XL contains fish oils.
Dr.Joe. I appreciate so much all the research you gave us.
Rarely do we find unbiased studies that I consider reading. I’m still on the fence. After trying the product for 2 months it truly seemed to reduce internal inflammation. Some times I wonder if it is psychological with me.Because the product is quite expensive I need more evidence of its value to help me.
Thank you for sharing the study.
S Magee
Sharon you are very welcome, but I’m not a doctor 🙂
Thanks for another very thorough review with lots of great information. I would gather based on your review that one might derive some benefit for arthritis pain at possibly between 600 and 1200 mg per day in particular if you didn’t mind the cost, and that it might be worth a try based upon this research, especially since there are no reported side effects.
I wonder, however, if these are temporary effects or if the supplement indicates any long term improvement. Of course I have not read the links to the papers! Wow, that was a lot of research to summarize in a short paper. Kudos!
Nan, thanks for that! Yes I think its possible based on the research but the Omega XL research also has issues which stopped me from saying it might work for everybody. I tried to list some of the problems I noticed with those studies. Some of the studies showing that “it works” were not as well done as I’d like (one study didn’t even tell how much green lipped mussel extract it used for example). Best I could say is that if Omega XL helps, people should notice a difference in pain in about 1-2 months.
Just a heads up, If you call Great HealthWorks, their customer support is polite but they may say things that are not based in human studies or is extrapolated from what is known about fish oil. I didn’t put it in my review but I called them 2x – and spoke to different reps. Both people said omega xl would help problems that have no research on (back pain, high blood pressure etc). I asked both people if they received commissions for sales. One person would not tell me and the other said they received a salary. I never gave them my phone # but both people called me back a few days later to ask me if I wanted buy the product. After the calls, I thought they either really believe in their product or they might receive commissions.
Whew! Quite the read, but definitely worth it 🙂 Thank you for gathering all the studies with their respective results and weaknesses.
I didn’t realize that Lyprinol has been researched for 30 years… I am hopeful that a proper (double blind) and more extensive study will be conducted in the future with more conclusive results.
Any thoughts on Lyprinol being absorbed topically?
Hey Mel, kudus for getting through the whole review! I know it was long! I saw no human studies on topical lyprinol. I know there are creams that have it (plexus slim has one for example). I’d like to see at least one study on creams. Everything I saw was on orally taken pills of green lipped mussel (lyprinol).