Fish Oil - EPA, DHA, oh my! How much is enough?

[GarlR]

I'm taking fish oil, but I'm not exactly sure how much I need to get per day. They say 2g a day. Is that 2g of fish oil? or 2g of total Omega 3 fatty acids (EPA + DHA)?

I have no idea!

[powercage]

I'm taking fish oil, but I'm not exactly sure how much I need to get per day. They say 2g a day. Is that 2g of fish oil? or 2g of total Omega 3 fatty acids (EPA + DHA)?

I have no idea!

Total Omega 3 fatty acids is not the same as EPA + DHA


Shoot for 2-3g of JUST EPA + DHA.

Make sure to look at the label:

Let's compare.

Here is a fish oil product sold at Costco:



Let's look at what each cap gives you from a EPA/DHA standpoint:



See, you still don't even know for sure how much EPA/DHA you are getting because that 300 mg also contains some unknown amount of "other Omega 3."

Here is a screen shot of Nature Made (Wal-Mart brand) fish oil cap



Here is a screen shot of CL Orange OxiMega label

When I buy fishoils, I ignore the Total Omega 3 info and go straight to looking for the EPA + DHA breakdown. I also go for a 2:1 or 3:2 ratio

[GarlR]

Total Omega 3 fatty acids is not the same as EPA + DHA


Shoot for 2-3g of JUST EPA + DHA.

Make sure to look at the label:




When I buy fishoils, I ignore the Total Omega 3 info and go straight to looking for the EPA + DHA breakdown. I also go for a 2:1 or 3:2 ratio

Ok I bought the NOW Omega-3 caps (500 softgels) and it has total of 680 MG of Omega 3. 360 mg EPA, and 240 DHA. (80 mg of "other" omega 3) for 2 pills (1 serving)

I am taking 6 a day. That should net me roughly of 2g of EPA/DHA....which means I'm good. Correct?

Also if that is okay, it recommends taking only 2 caps 1-3 times a day. I find it easier to take 3 caps 2 times a day. I don't think it would make much a difference, but it might.

[TheGilmore]

Ok I bought the NOW Omega-3 caps (500 softgels) and it has total of 680 MG of Omega 3. 360 mg EPA, and 240 DHA. (80 mg of "other" omega 3) for 2 pills (1 serving)

I am taking 6 a day. That should net me roughly of 2g of EPA/DHA....which means I'm good. Correct?

Also if that is okay, it recommends taking only 2 caps 1-3 times a day. I find it easier to take 3 caps 2 times a day. I don't think it would make much a difference, but it might.

That's fine. You can actually get away with taking only 4 throughout the day, since each one has a total of 600mg combined EPA/DHA. 4 pills=2.4g combined.

[GarlR]

That's fine. You can actually get away with taking only 4 throughout the day, since each one has a total of 600mg combined EPA/DHA. 4 pills=2.4g combined.

What? 1 serving with 600mg combined EPA/DHA with 2 pills. 4 pills = 1.2g?

[naturalguy]

It depends on your diet, crazy as it sounds you can actually get EFA's through food

[GarlR]

It depends on your diet, crazy as it sounds you can actually get EFA's through food

Salmon is expensive to eat everyday. (As well as the other fatty fish)

Why can't tilapia be high in omega 3s? lol

[gachase21]

This read my help you op
http://www.alanaragon.com/fish-oil.html

here is another about fats in general
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritio...ory/index.html

[GetRippedInc]

INB4 Norcal Mike suggesting canned tuna fish pills

[TheGilmore]

What? 1 serving with 600mg combined EPA/DHA with 2 pills. 4 pills = 1.2g?

Oops, I read that as 1 pill. Carry on then.

[GarlR]

I don't understand? That isn't the product I have?

[powercage]

Salmon is expensive to eat everyday. (As well as the other fatty fish)

Why can't tilapia be high in omega 3s? lol

Salmon also doesnt have much EPA. It's mainly DHA


Id try to get as much as I could from real food tho. Cant beat whole food nutrition

[RaginAzN]

INB4 Norcal Mike suggesting canned tuna fish pills

Wtf LOL

[naturalguy]

Salmon is expensive to eat everyday. (As well as the other fatty fish)

Why can't tilapia be high in omega 3s? lol

I hear ya but you don't have to eat it every day, just a few times per week and salmon is a top notch protein source so it's a win-win. There is also sardines and other fish that are not that expensive. Whole food first and then you can supplement the rest.

[GarlR]

I hear ya but you don't have to eat it every day, just a few times per week and salmon is a top notch protein source so it's a win-win. There is also sardines and other fish that are not that expensive. Whole food first and then you can supplement the rest.

That is rough to do. In 2 weeks, I will be working FOUR 12 hour shifts a week, 2 days a week of class, and 1 day off. I simply don't have the time, or the cash. (2 of those work days is a non-paid internship)

And I only get paid $9.50 an hour.