Fish oil provides omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for optimal health. Since the body cannot manufacture omega-3, you must obtain this nutrient from your diet. Fish oil is one of best sources of fatty acids. Fish oil contains two types of oil: DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid; and EPA, or eicosapentaenoic acid. To get the most benefits, it's important that you choose supplements that combine both types of oil. You can also buy each one separately and combine them in the proper amounts.
Healthy Adults
If you plan to use fish oil to treat a condition, talk to your doctor first to estimate which fish oils are best and in what combination. If you're a healthy individual, however, you might still choose to take fish oil to improve your overall well-being. The general dosage of fish oil for a healthy adult is 500 mg of a combined DHA and EPA, with a minimum of 220 mg of each one.
During Pregnancy
Omega-3 fatty acids are important during pregnancy because they help with the nervous system development of the fetus. However, eating fresh fish might be dangerous because of the high amount of mercury and other heavy metals found in certain types of fish. Instead, the American Pregnancy Association recommends shopping for high-quality fish-oil supplements. High-quality fish oil shouldn't smell or taste fishy, according to the APA. Pregnant women should take 300 mg of DHA every day.
Treating High Triglycerides
Experts such as the American Heart Association recommend taking fish oil to treat high triglycerides. Dosages of up to 4,000 mg of fish oil per day can help lower numbers significantly. Only use fish oil under medical supervision if you have high triglycerides, especially if you're also taking prescription medications.
Treating Other Conditions
According to MedlinePlus, fish oil might be useful to treat various other health problems. However, most of these claims haven't been scientifically confirmed. Where studies exist, they're usually preliminary or based on small trials. For example, MedlinePlus recommends 9.6 grams of fish oil per day for people who suffer from depression. This works better when taken alongside prescription antidepressants. To improve menstrual pain, you can take 720 mg of DHA and 1,080 mg of EPA. Fish oil can also be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis in a combination of 2 grams of DHA and 3.8 grams of EPA.
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