Fish oil supplements vary in grade, potency and quality. The right dose of omega-3 fatty acids for you will depend on the manufacturer, the makeup of the fish oil itself, and your age, sex and other health conditions. Your doctor can recommend the right dose for you.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 essential fatty acids are crucial to human health, but since the body does not manufacture them, they must be obtained through food or supplements. These important nutrients can be found in fatty fish, fish oil and in oils and seeds from plants like flaxseed, corn and walnut. Omega-3 is necessary for proper brain function and may lower the risk of heart disease and high cholesterol. Omega-3 fatty acids have also been studied for relief of depression, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, menstrual pain, osteoporosis and cancer prevention, although studies show conflicting results, notes University of Maryland Medical Center.
Omega-3s in Fish Oil
There are three types of omega-3 fatty acids: docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA; eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA; and alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA. ALA deficiency is fairly rare, because it is in common cooking oils like canola and soy. However, many people do not get enough DHA or EPA. Both are found in fish oil. The ratio of DHA to EPA can vary among fish oil supplements. Look for a supplement containing the typical proportion of DHA and EPA: about 180 mg of EPA and 120 mg of DHA per capsule or serving.
Fish Oil Dose for Adults
The American Heart Association recommends adults with no history of heart problems eat fatty fish like salmon, mackerel or halibut twice a week. Adults with heart disease may consider adding a fish oil supplement containing EPA and DHA in a dose of 1 g daily. Adults with high cholesterol can try 2 to 4 g daily of fish oil. However, these supplements should not be used to replace diagnosis and treatment by a health care professional. Specific doses of fish oil have been studied for adults with health conditions like high blood pressure, high triglycerides and kidney problems. Ask your doctor to recommend the appropriate dose for you.
Fish Oil Dose for Pregnancy and Children
There is currently no established daily dose of fish oil for healthy children. MedlinePlus suggests 4 g of fish oil daily containing 32 percent EPA and 23 percent DHA taken by women during pregnancy may protect their children from asthma, allergies and skin conditions. However, some omega-3 rich fatty fish may contain toxic levels of mercury. Pregnant women should be especially careful to choose a mercury-free fish oil supplement from a well-respected manufacturer and to only take fish oil supplements under the supervision of a health care provider.
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