Both provide EPA and DHA — the two omega-3 fatty acids most relevant to cardiovascular and general health support. The difference is the source.

Fish oil is derived from oily fish such as sardines, anchovies and mackerel. It is the most widely available and cost-effective source of EPA and DHA and is the format used in the vast majority of omega-3 supplements.

Algal omega-3 is derived from marine algae — the original source of omega-3 in the marine food chain. It is the appropriate choice for those who do not consume fish or follow a plant-based diet. The EPA and DHA it provides are nutritionally equivalent to fish oil.

When comparing products, focus on the combined EPA + DHA content per serving rather than the total fish oil weight. A product labelled "1,000mg fish oil" may contain very different amounts of actual EPA and DHA depending on the concentration — always check the nutrition panel for the specific figures.

CoQ10 (coenzyme Q10) is a compound produced naturally by every cell in the body and plays a role in cellular energy production. It is found in the highest concentrations in organs with the greatest energy demands — including the heart.

Statin medications, which are widely prescribed to help manage cholesterol levels, are known to reduce the body's natural CoQ10 production. This is why CoQ10 supplementation is frequently discussed alongside statin use — many people taking statins choose CoQ10 as a nutritional addition to their routine.

Ubiquinone vs ubiquinol: CoQ10 supplements are available in two forms. Ubiquinone is the oxidised form and the most widely available. Ubiquinol is the reduced, active form and is commonly considered better absorbed — particularly relevant for adults over 50, as the body's ability to convert ubiquinone to ubiquinol is thought to decline with age. Ubiquinol products typically cost more; whether the premium is worthwhile depends on your age and individual circumstances.

If you are taking prescribed medication, speak to your GP before adding CoQ10 to your routine.

Plant sterols occupy a different regulatory category from most supplements in this collection — and that distinction matters.

Plant sterols (and stanols) have an authorised GB and EU health claim: daily intakes of 1.5g to 3g of plant sterols have been shown to help maintain normal blood cholesterol levels as part of a balanced diet. This is based on established evidence and is the only ingredient in this category with a specifically authorised cholesterol-related claim.

Other supplements in this collection — omega-3, CoQ10, magnesium, garlic — are positioned around general nutritional support and do not carry authorised cholesterol-specific claims in the same way.

Plant sterols are not a replacement for prescribed cholesterol-lowering medication. If you are managing your cholesterol under medical supervision, discuss any supplement additions with your GP or pharmacist. For those looking to support their routine nutritionally alongside a balanced diet, plant sterols are the most evidence-backed option specifically for cholesterol maintenance in this collection.

Some supplements in this collection are relevant if you take prescribed cardiovascular medication, but this is one category where checking with your GP or pharmacist first is genuinely important rather than standard small print.

Specific points worth knowing:

• CoQ10 may have an additive effect with some blood pressure medications — flag this to your pharmacist
• High-dose omega-3 may theoretically affect blood clotting at very high supplemental doses; standard OTC doses are generally well tolerated but worth mentioning if you take anticoagulants
• Plant sterols are not a replacement for statins and should be taken as a complement to, not instead of, prescribed medication if cholesterol management is your goal
• Magnesium may interact with some blood pressure medications — again, worth flagging to your GP or pharmacist

For most people taking standard supplemental doses alongside stable medication, these interactions are unlikely to be clinically significant — but individual circumstances vary, and your prescriber is the right person to advise.

The longevity framing reflects a growing area of nutritional science focused on healthy ageing and long-term cellular health, rather than solely on cardiovascular-specific outcomes.

Products in this part of the collection typically include ingredients associated with cellular energy, antioxidant protection and mitochondrial function — CoQ10, resveratrol, NAD+ precursors and alpha-lipoic acid are among the most commonly seen. These are not positioned around heart health specifically but around supporting overall vitality and healthy ageing more broadly.

The distinction matters for buying decisions:

• If your primary focus is heart and cardiovascular nutrition — omega-3, plant sterols and magnesium are the most directly relevant starting points
• If you are interested in broader healthy ageing and cellular energy support — CoQ10, resveratrol and combination longevity formulas sit in this space

Many customers find the two areas overlap — CoQ10 is relevant to both, for example — but it's useful to know which category you're primarily shopping in before browsing the product grid.