To help inform this question of dosage, several health organizations have released their own dosing recommendations based on available research and various other criteria. 3,4 These organizations typically recommend that adults consume a minimum of 500 mg of EPA and DHA each day, but recognize that higher amounts are often needed for individuals with metabolic risk factors and during specific periods of development, such as gestation and infancy. 5 Bell, S. J., Chavali, S., Bistrian, B. R., Connolly, C. A., Utsunomiya, T., and Forse, R. A. Dietary fish oil and cytokine and eicosanoid production during human immunodeficiency virus infection. JPEN J Parenter.Enteral Nutr. 1996;20(1):43-49. View abstract. Guo XF, Li KL, Li JM, Li D. Effects of EPA and DHA on blood pressure and inflammatory factors: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(20):3380-3393. View abstract. Omega-3 content: Look for supplements that contain around 250 mg to 500 mg of combined EPA and DHA per serving. Some products may also contain ALA, a form of omega-3 fatty acid found in plants that’s converted to EPA and DHA in small amounts. Bartelt, S., Timm, M., Damsgaard, C. T., Hansen, E. W., Hansen, H. S., and Lauritzen, L. The effect of dietary fish oil-supplementation to healthy young men on oxidative burst measured by whole blood chemiluminescence. Br J Nutr 2008;99(6):1230-1238. View abstract.

Aarsetoy, H., Ponitz, V., Nilsen, O. B., Grundt, H., Harris, W. S., and Nilsen, D. W. Low levels of cellular omega-3 increase the risk of ventricular fibrillation during the acute ischaemic phase of a myocardial infarction. Resuscitation 2008;78(3):258-264. View abstract.

Baro, L., Fonolla, J., Pena, J. L., Martinez-Ferez, A., Lucena, A., Jimenez, J., Boza, J. J., and Lopez-Huertas, E. n-3 Fatty acids plus oleic acid and vitamin supplemented milk consumption reduces total and LDL cholesterol, homocysteine and levels of endothelial adhesion molecules in healthy humans. Clin.Nutr. 2003;22(2):175-182. View abstract. For example, giving someone who is very deficient in omega-3s a fixed dose of 1000 mg of EPA+DHA per day may barely move the needle in terms of increasing omega-3 blood levels, while giving the same fixed dose to someone who eats fish and has no trouble metabolizing dietary fats may be perfectly sufficient for achieving therapeutic omeha-3 blood levels. Considering all this variability, EPA+DHA recommendations should be based on individual omega-3 needs and requirements whenever possible. 19 Mayser P, Mrowietz U, Arenberger P, et al. Omega-3 fatty acid-based lipid infusion in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis: results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial. J Am Acad Dermatol 1998;38:539-47. View abstract. HIGHLY CONCENTRATED FISH OILS such as UnoCardio®, on the other hand, are extremely rare and contain 90% to 95% Omega-3. These fish oils are not made as ethyl esters but in a better, more bio-available form, r-triglyceride (rTG). These oils supply the greatest amount of EPA and DHA per softgel and are of the highest purity available.

Wang J, et al. (2023). Does omega-3 fatty acid supplementation have favorable effects on the lipid profile in postmenopausal women? A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. If you experience side effects from fish oil supplements, such as nausea or acid reflux, you may find the supplement easier to tolerate by splitting it into two smaller doses throughout the day. Aslan, A. and Triadafilopoulos, G. Fish oil fatty acid supplementation in active ulcerative colitis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Am J Gastroenterol 1992;87(4):432-437. View abstract.Clinical data regarding the use of Omega 3-acid-ethyl esters 90 in elderly patients over 70 years of age are limited. Because of the moderate increase in bleeding time (with the high dosage, i.e. 4 capsules), patients receiving anticoagulant therapy must be monitored and the dosage of anticoagulant adjusted if necessary (see section 4.5 Interaction with other Medicinal Products and other forms of Interaction). Use of this medication does not eliminate the need for the surveillance usually required for patients of this type.

After EPA and DHA are ingested, they are placed within the phospholipids of cell membranes, where they directly and indirectly affect cellular function by promoting the fluidity, flexibility, and permeability of cell membranes. 8 These features are vital to numerous daily cell operations, including receiving, processing, and responding to information from nearby cells and messages coming from the surrounding environment. 8,12 Reported relevant outcomes and the results of the included trials are shown in Table S2 (Supplementary Materials). In 14 RCTs, the BDI was applied as the instrument to evaluate the outcome, six studies applied the HDRS, five studies used the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) [ 53], four studies used the MADRS, and one study used the Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) [ 54]. Ten RCTs used more than one assessment to determine depressive symptoms. Different mechanisms of action have been proposed. For example, omega-3s can easily travel through the brain cell membrane and interact with mood-related molecules inside the brain. They also have anti-inflammatory actions that may help relieve depression. Albert, C. M., Hennekens, C. H., O'Donnell, C. J., Ajani, U. A., Carey, V. J., Willett, W. C., Ruskin, J. N., and Manson, J. E. Fish consumption and risk of sudden cardiac death. JAMA 1-7-1998;279(1):23-28. View abstract. Borchgrevink, C. F., Skaga, E., Berg, K. J., and Skjaeggestad, O. Absence of prophylactic effect of linolenic acid in patients with coronary heart-disease. Lancet 7-23-1966;2(7456):187-189. View abstract.These fatty acids play an important role in supporting heart, eye, and brain health, and for lowering inflammation and cholesterol, among other benefits.

Fish oil source: We prioritized supplements with oil from smaller fish because they’re typically lower in mercury than larger fish. Benito, P., Caballero, J., Moreno, J., Gutierrez-Alcantara, C., Munoz, C., Rojo, G., Garcia, S., and Soriguer, F. C. Effects of milk enriched with omega-3 fatty acid, oleic acid and folic acid in patients with metabolic syndrome. Clin.Nutr. 2006;25(4):581-587. View abstract.Omacor is not indicated in exogenous hypertriglyceridaemia (type 1 hyperchylomicronaemia). There is only limited experience in secondary endogenous hypertriglyceridaemia (especially uncontrolled diabetes). Liao Y, Xie B, Zhang H, et al. Efficacy of omega-3 PUFAs in depression: A meta-analysis. Transl Psychiatry. 2019 Aug 5;9(1):190. View abstract. Cod liver oil is not recommended for children either because of the vitamin A content. To obtain 500 mg EPA from cod liver oil they would have to consume such quantities of this oil that the vitamin A level would become very unhealthy. You should also know that EFSA, the European Food Safety Authority, clearly stipulates that Europeans already take in sufficient vitamin A via their diet so that this vitamin is no longer appropriate for food enrichment and supplements.