Fish oil is a nutrient that can be obtained directly from eating fish high in omega-3 fatty acids or from taking dietary supplements. Fish oil has many benefits to health including treating conditions such as high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease. A daily recommended amount of fish oil varies and is based upon a health goal such as reducing triglyceride levels, according to Medline Plus.
Background
The best sources of fish oil come from fatty fish, including mackerel, tuna, salmon, herring, trout, sturgeon, mullet, bluefish, anchovy and sardines. These fish are rich sources of the powerful omega-3 fatty acid nutrients -- eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, DHA -- which are low in the American diet and present in fish oil supplements. Your body cannot make omega-3 fatty acids, so it must be obtained from dietary sources.
Recommendations
Just 3 1/2 oz. of fish have 1 g of omega-3 fatty acids. Eating boiled or bake fish has the greatest cardiovascular disease benefit, but fried fish cancels out the omega-3 benefits and can actually increase heart disease risk. Fish oil is generally recognized as safe for most adults in low-to-moderate doses. However, taking more than 3 g per day might keep blood from clotting, can increase the chance of bleeding, and too much fish oil can increase the risk of stroke.
Speak to your doctor or health care provider about what dose of fish oil you should take for your health. Example fish oil daily recommendations: take 1 to 4 g per day for triglycerides; to lower blood pressure take 4 g of fish oil providing 2.04 grams of EPA and 1.4 grams of DHA; and to relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis take fish oil providing 3.8 g of EPA and 2 g of DHA.
Supplements
Fish oil vitamins are the most common, natural dietary supplement consumed by Americans for health reasons. They are available as a capsule or oil and are not high in mercury, pesticides or polychlorinated biphenyls, PCBs. Fish oil supplements may cause minor gastrointestinal upset, and in high doses can interact with certain medications, including blood thinners and drugs used for high blood pressure, according to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
Benefits
Scientific research suggests that taking fish oil can lower triglycerides, help prevent heart disease and reduce risk of stroke, when taking the recommended amounts, according to Medline Plus. Fish oil can be beneficial for reducing depression, ADHD symptoms, dry eyes and pain and swelling, but additional research is needed to confirm fish oil as a treatment for other conditions.
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