How Much Omega 3 Should I Take Daily?

Benefits of Omega-3

• Omega-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid or EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid or DHA) provide a wide range of benefits, including the treatment of diabetes, certain skin conditions and depression. Omega-3 fatty acids are also thought to aid in weight loss as they help regulate cholesterol and insulin levels. In general, omega-3s are necessary for healthy heart and brain function.
  
  

Dosage

• Supplements that contain EPA and DHA vary in dosage per pill or ounce of fish or flaxseed oil. Daily dosage for these supplements is generally 600 to 900 mg of EPA and DHA. Consult your health care provider to establish a daily dosing routine for your condition. Omega-3s are not dangerous at high levels, though side effects may include upset stomach and gas.
  
  

Foods with Omega-3s

• Another way to get omega-3 is through your diet. It is recommended by the American Heart Association that you eat fish twice a week to get a sufficient intake of Omega-3. Fatty fishes such as herring, sardines, mackerel, lake trout, tuna and salmon all contain high levels of omega-3. Other sources include flaxseeds, rapeseed oil, soybeans, pumpkin seeds, purslane, perilla seed oil, walnuts and even krill and algae.