How Much Fish Oil Would A Doctor Recommend Per Day?

If you are considering fish oil, the recommended intake or dosage will depend on your heart disease risk. Because of its heart-protective benefits, the American Heart Association, AHA, recommends fish oil intake by healthy people and those with heart disease. It is preferable to obtain fish oil from food sources, but if you have coronary heart disease, CHD, you may not get enough from diet alone and should talk with your doctor about taking a fish oil supplement.

Fish Oil Benefits

Fish oil is beneficial because it contains the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, DHA. According to the AHA, EPA and DHA decrease the risk of heart arrhythmias, which can lead to sudden death; decrease triglyceride levels; slow the growth rate of plaque in arteries; and slightly lower blood pressure. The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database reports that fish oil may also help rheumatoid arthritis, menstrual pain, ADHD in children, Raynaud's syndrome, osteoporosis, kidney problems, bipolar disorder and depression.

AHA Recommendations

If you do not have heart disease, the AHA recommends that you eat a variety of fish --- preferably fatty fish --- at least twice a week. If you have CHD, it recommends that you consume about 1 g of combined EPA and DHA daily, preferably from fatty fish. If you are unable to achieve this through diet alone, talk to your doctor about taking a supplement.

Fish oil is also effective in lowering triglycerides, increasing "good" HDL levels and improving the ratio of triglycerides to HDL. To lower triglycerides, the recommended dose is 2 to 4 g of EPA and DHA per day, taken in supplement form under your doctor's care.

Food Sources of Fish Oil

The AHA recommends that everyone eat at least two servings of fish a week. A serving is 3.5 oz. cooked fish or ¾ c. flaked fish. Sources that are rich in fish oil include salmon, mackerel, herring, lake trout, sardines and albacore tuna.

If you are concerned about mercury, shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock and catfish are low in mercury, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. It recommends that you avoid shark, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish due to their high mercury content.

Fish Oil Supplements

If you need higher doses, fish oil capsules are a convenient way to meet your needs. To ensure quality and content, Pharmacist's Letter recommends choosing a product that is USP Verified. Also, look at the combined EPA and DHA content, not the total amount of fish oil. Of products listed in the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, most contained 300 mg EPA and DHA per 1,000 mg fish oil capsule; the highest contained 570 mg.

Side effects of supplements include nausea, heartburn, loose stool and fishy aftertaste. There is a small increased risk of bleeding or bruising when taking 3 g or more daily so you should only take a dose of 3 g or more with your doctor's approval. Also, check with your doctor if you take aspirin, warfarin or clopidogrel or if you are allergic to fish.