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?
I’ve got Ankolyising Spondylitis in my back and have been taking a number of chemical drugs -Tramadol, Codeine and Ibuprofen mainly – for about 2.5 years to manage the pain. None was doing a very good job reducing the pain (although the opioids definitely make me forget it for a while!).
Recently, I started taking large doses (3000 mg daily) of a perfectly ordinary fish oil Omega supplement (it was not the one advertised on this page but advertised high DHA and EPA as well) and the back pain was about 80% better within a day or two.
This was not a placebo effect, as I was taking the oil to improve my concentration, and was unaware that it could have any real effect on my A.S. until I looked into it later, on the internet.
Bottom line: if you’ve got chronic joint inflammation pain and are sick of chemical drugs, try a fish oil, any fish oil will do. Doesn’t have to be Omega XL although I’m sure that’s good too… the key is to take about 2x or 3x the daily dose that’s mentioned on the label.
Miss E, thanks for sharing that. Im really glad to hear the fish oil is helping your Ankolyising Spondylitis.
I appreciate your conscientiousness and scientific process of reviewing these supplements. Exceptional research review process.
Have you research “Stim Tein” in relation to helping joint repair–cartilage I believe?
Thank you
Hi Mattie, thanks so much. While Ive never heard of Stim Tein, I took a quick look at it. It looks like it has 100 mg of collagen and something called bone morphogenic proteins. I have seen some collagen /arthritis research. Id have to take a closer look at it. Im not aware of any studies on it as of yet.
Hey Joe,
Do you know anything about Fibromyalgia and if the Omega Xl would help that? I have Fibromyalgia and Arthritis and would appreciate something that would ease my pain. Thank you for your study.
Hi Lillie, I have not seen any research on Omega XL and fibromyalgia so I’m not sure. There is some research on arthritis which I listed in the review. If you try it and it helps your fibromyalgia – or doesnt – do let me know.
Also see my review of Ribose and fibromyalgia too.
I’m looking at three products…Orthro7, Omega XL, FlexaPlex. I would really appreciate your opinion on which of these products is the best for helping rheumatoid arthritis, which is what I have. My husband has osteoarthritis… Which would be best for him?
Thank you so much!
Hi Marilyn, while I have several reviews on arthritis supplements here, I have not -yet – looked at Orthro7 or FlexaPlex. You can see all the arthritis supplements Ive reviewed here: http://supplementclarity.com/category/arthritis-supplements/
That said if you know what the ingredients are in those products you can look them in using the search box on this site. Odds are I’ve already covered many of their ingredients in other reviews.
Also take a look at my review of Australian Dream. its a topical cream not a supplement. Many people have reported that it has helped their arthritis pain. Here is the Australian dream review
Marilyn, PS, for your husband, If it helps, I think the strongest evidence is for glucosamine sulfate (not glucosamine HCL) and MSM. if he has diabetes, ask his pharmacist and blood sugar levels with glucosamine. Also I recommend men stay away from chondroitin sulfate (its in several arthritis supplements). While its probably a long shot, there is a possible link to prostate cancer. See this for more on that: Chondroitin sulfate and prostate cancer.
Hi Joe, great article. I am presently suffering from Gout due to high Uric acid. Knee is swollen a lot of pain. Do you think Omega Xl will help ?
Hi Jason, thanks so much. Honestly. I’m not sure because I have not seen any research either way on Omega XL and gout. I think if you try it, you should know in a month or so if its working. Here is an interesting video on helping gout with diet : http://nutritionfacts.org/video/preventing-gout-attacks-with-diet/
This doctors book is also very interesting. Its called How Not To Die
Thanks a lot……..God bless
I have a question: I am taking OmegaXL now for 2 weeks Nothing of any deference or any improvement in my pain..I have severe pain in my both hands, did the nerve test it is not a carpel tunnel and I thought that OmegaXL will help but Nothing ..all I got was headache side effect…
Hi Nabil, so sorry that you are not seeing any reduction in pain from Omega XL. are you taking what they recommend? From the research I saw, it might take 4-8 weeks before any difference in pain is noticed. That’s assuming that the pain comes from arthritis. That said the headache you said you get is concerning. Do you get headaches every time you take Omega XL?
Awesome article… Thanks for doing the research
Hi Mary, you are very welcome.
My mother just received her bottles and has found some improvement within a few days. In doing my homework I’ve discovered amazon sells the green lipped muscles from different companies. Do you think that I could benefit using them. They are significantly cheaper. Or is it all the ingredients in the xl that makes it work.
Don’t you wonder about some of these studies that have only used a handful of people? You do a great job informing us…Thanks
Hi KD, thanks so much for saying that! To your question, If its a quality made green lipped mussel supplement, providing the same amount, I dont any reason why it would not have the same effects as omega xl. Glad to hear your mom was seeing some improvements from it.
Hi Joe, do you benefit financially in any way when we purchase this product via the links you provided? Thanks in advance.
Hi June, yes and I detailed that on the FAQ page of my site. Thanks for bringing that up. Its how I keep this site going.
Is it the same product sold at like Walgreens.. or must it be ordered. I just came across your site and been reading alot. My boyfriend has bad hip & leg pain and no insurance at the moment,
Hi Michelle, I did a quick online search and didnt see Omega XL sold at Wallgreens. I did see that both Walgreens and Walmart sell green lipped mussel supplements, which is basically what Omega XL is. Here are green lipped mussel supplements on Amazon too.
Glad you found my site and hope it is helping you and your boyfriend 🙂
Hi just followed you link for amazon and since I’m in Canada I copied to amazon.ca and the reviews were all people given this to their dogs…not actual humans taken it..I’m confused why would this be a product for dogs in one country and for human in another?
Hi Sophie, that’s odd. Here in the US its marketed to people. Last I checked they did have a dog-version called “mussel dog.” I’m not sure how that differs from the people version of Omega XL. Did the people who gave it to their dogs say it helped them?
I have a comment on omega xl.
I ordered because of my neck back in 2015. I couldn’ t sleep because of the pain. Because of. lack of funds, I canceled. I went back on it for.3 months just recently and because I was sharing, I ran short and had to call for more. What I can say is how much lousyer I felt for those 5 days. The first thing is my right wrist. The second my lung inflammation. I still have bad neck pain and use neck traction but not as much.
I am a Alergic to aspirin would i have allergies to this anti inflammatory product
Hi Aileen, none that I know if. Why dont you ask your pharmacist or doctor. Let me know what they say.
No you should not, Im allergic to aspirin and ibp, and I have taken this omega Xl in the past, it’s amazing, I’m getting ready to order more. Bg all means you should check with your Dr before starting any meds.
Does this product help degenerative arthritis?
Hi Joanne, there is some arthritis research which I covered in my review. When you say degenerative, do you mean osteoarthritis?
NOW I understand! I did not realize that osteoarthritis and degenerative arthritis are the same thing! Thank you for such good research review.
Joanne, you are very welcome 🙂
Hi Joe,
I really appreciate your thorough review of this product. I actually just purchased it for my dad, and I’m having second thoughts based on some of the reviews. Some of your readers have posted positive review, which is encouraging. I decided to take a chance given the money back guarantee. However, there have been some negative reviews about the process of getting a refund and canceling the auto ship. Thanks again for your efforts, which are very much appreciated.
Debbie
Hi Debbie, thanks, I appreciate you saying that. What I can say is that if you bought the product using a credit card (not your bank debit card) you may have some extra leverage if you have any problems getting a refund. Lets hope it doesn’t come to that. I do hope it helps your dad. If you get a chance, do let me know what happens.
Hi Joe, I did use a credit card which should provide me with the leverage needed to deal with any problems. Quite honestly, I’m not interested in a refund since I understand that results vary depending on the length of time a supplement is taken. However, I would not be pleased if I have any issues canceling the auto pay. I was assured that I won’t have any, but I understand that could be a sales gimmick.
I previously considered ordering the product when I saw it being endorsed by one of my favorite gospel artists, Dottie Peoples. However, I do understand that these celebrities are paid to endorse products, so you can’t really rely on that. I’ll certainly let you know how it worked out. I remain grateful for your comprehensive review.
Hi Debbie, sounds good. It sounds like you are in pretty good shape if you need to do anything, which I hope you dont. Have a great week!
Larry King mentions back pain but there’s no mention of it on this site. I was looking for something to help my husbands back pain. I was hoping this would help.
Hi Nancy, I didn’t see any studies involving back pain. Back pain can be caused by many things so hopefully your husband has gotten checked out by his doctor to find out what is causing it.
Thanks Joe for your reply… I was hoping to give information to my MD about the cholesterol results. I don’t know if I should also go back to using the Omega-3’s fish oil with the Omega XL. I like what it has done for my fingers stiffness & pain…
Thanks again for your reply.
Marion
Hi, has any research been done to see if Omega XL can help in the treatment of migraines? Since it is an anti-inflamitory I would think it has possibility.
Hi Wendy, I dont recall seeing anything on migraines and Omega XL. Best I could say is if you try it, you should know soon if its working or not. There is some research that magnesium might help. Generally any food with fiber will have some magnesium. Give that a try too.
Hi, I didn’t see any research, how Omega-XL helps with cholesterol levels. Would like to know if it helps boost the good ones & lowers bad ones.
Another comment: I’ve been taking Omega-XL for 2 months now. I have reduced the amount of Arthritis Tylenol (which I was taking 4-5X/day. I may take one a couple X/Week but no longer daily. My joints are feeling better overall. A couple finger joints are no long stiff or crooked.
Noticed, when I was taking 4 Cap’s Day it seemed to help more than now on 2 Cap’s/Day. But maybe it will take time to see the results over time.
Hi Marion, when I wrote the review I didn’t see anything that specially said green lipped mussel lowered cholesterol. I tried to focus to just what I saw on green lipped muessel itself. I’m sure your doctor is testing your cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides regularly when you have blood tests. Since you have been taking Omega XL for a couple of months, I’d think this enough time to see if any changes in their levels have occurred. Get your cholesterol tested and see if there are any differences. Do let me know what happens Marion because I’m curious too about this.
I’m really glad to hear your arthritis is doing better 🙂
Hello – After watching the Larry King infomercial about OmegaXL I Googled and found your web site listed with your review. Thank you for it. Very well done, honest and thorough.
I have searched a bit on the web and have seen Green Lipped Mussel products in the oil gel caps and also freeze-dried pill form. Being that the essential ingredient extracted from the Green Lipped Mussel is an oil Is the freeze-dried as good?
Hi Wyatt, As long as its green lipped mussel, in the right amounts, I’d think it should work about the same. I would be skeptical of sports creams containing green lipped mussel as I have seen any proof it can penetrate the skin. Glad you found my review helpful and I thank you for your kind words 🙂
Thank u for that suggestion on pharmacist. My pharmacist is always so busy that I feel like he is being bothered esp. about supplements. On the other hand I can trap a doctor into answering when I go for a visit or leave info. for them to look at.
I will try the pharmacist too. Last time I checked with him on a probiotic and he basically said they were all the same. I don’t think he was a fan of supplement at all. Thank again for answering!
This was great to read. I am looking at anything I can to see if this Omega XL will interact with Xarelto blood thinner. I’m taking all info. I find into my doctor to hear what she will say about taking it.
Sherie, glad you found it useful. Also ask your pharmacist too. They often know a lot about drug interactions.