Thorne Advanced DHA review: brain-focused omega-3 with 650 mg of DHA

This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Click here to buy

Most nootropic products on Amazon are long blends with names you've never heard of. This one is different. It's built on a single nutrient your brain is literally made of.

Thorne Advanced DHA is a fish oil, but it's tuned for the brain rather than the heart. Here's why that matters.

DHA and your brain

DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid, and it's one of the main building blocks of brain cell membranes. It's also concentrated in the retina of the eye. Your body makes only a small amount of it, so most of what you have comes from food, mainly oily fish.

Standard fish oils tend to lean toward EPA. Thorne flips that around. Each two-softgel serving gives you:

• 650 mg of DHA

• 200 mg of EPA

• 960 mg of total omega-3 fatty acids

Thorne says the formula supports healthy brain and nerve function throughout life and enhances cognitive function in the aging brain. It also lists support for eyes, blood vessels and the heart.

Triglyceride form, and why people care

Fish oil comes in a few chemical forms. Thorne uses the triglyceride form, which is the same form fats take in the fish themselves. Many people prefer it, and it tends to show up in the higher-end products.

Thorne also adds mint flavor, specifically to help with taste and cut down on fish burps. It sounds minor until you've had a fishy aftertaste all morning, and then it's the whole reason you stop taking fish oil. Reviewers mention the mint often, and kindly.

Who tends to pick this one

I see a few groups in the reviews:

• Older adults who want to look after memory and thinking as they age

• Students and busy professionals who'd rather support focus with a nutrient than with another energy drink

• People who don't eat fish but want the DHA they'd get from it

What I appreciate is how grounded it is. There's no promise of a sudden boost. DHA is a long-game nutrient. You take it every day, the way you'd eat salmon twice a week, and you're giving your brain good raw material.

Quality checks

This is where Thorne earns its price. The product is third-party tested and certified to confirm that what's in the bottle matches the label and that it contains no unsafe levels of contaminants. With fish oil, that last part counts. Thorne says it's trusted by more than 100 professional sports teams, and the formula is gluten free.

The fish come from anchovy, sardine, squid, herring and mackerel, all listed right on the label. The gelcap is bovine gelatin, and the oil is protected with mixed tocopherols and rosemary extract to help keep it fresh.

Price and practicalities

A bottle of 60 softgels was listed at $30.00 when I checked, which is a 30 day supply at two softgels a day. Take them with a meal, ideally one with some fat, for the best absorption and the fewest burps.

It holds 4.8 stars from more than 330 Amazon ratings, which is a strong showing for a premium fish oil.

A couple of sensible points. Because fish oil can thin the blood slightly, check with your doctor first if you take warfarin or another blood thinner, or before surgery. People with fish or shellfish allergies should avoid it, since squid is on the source list. If you're pregnant or nursing, DHA is often encouraged, but ask your provider about the right amount.

And if you or a loved one notices memory changes that come on quickly, see a doctor rather than relying on a supplement.

A smart, simple brain habit

If you want brain support that rests on one well-studied nutrient instead of a mystery blend, this is a lovely option. Two softgels, mint instead of fish, and a company that tests its work. Have a look at Thorne Advanced DHA and see if it suits your routine.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Click here to buy