Every BodyNeeds It
Omega-3 Recommended Intake Chart

More than 14,000 scientific studies over the past 35 years focus on the health benefits of consuming Omega-3 EPA and DHA at every life stage. Although, different organizations globally recommend varying amounts of EPA/DHA, most Omega-3 experts recommend that adults should consume about 500 mg of Omega-3 EPA/DHA per day (equivalent to two fatty fish meals per week) to maintain overall good health.

EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) 20101
  • Adults - 250 mg/day EPA/DHA
  • Pregnant/lactating women - 250mg EPA + DHA/day plus 100-200mg DHA
    • ISSFAL (International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids) 2004
  • 500 mg/day EPA/DHA for adults for cardiovascular health
    • AHA (American Heart Association) 2002
  • Two servings of fatty fish per week - for general health
  • 1000 mg/day of Omega-3 EPA/DHA - patients with coronary heart disease
  • 2000 to 4000 mg/day of Omega-3 EPA/DHA - patients with high triglycerides
    • Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010 USDA (US Dept of Agriculture) and HHS (Department of Health and Human Services)
  • General population – Consume about 8 ounces per week of a variety of seafood, which provide an average consumption of 250 mg per day of EPA and DHA.
  • Pregnant and breast feeding women - It is recommended that women who are pregnant or breast-feeding consume at least 8 and up to 12 ounces of a variety of seafood per week, from choices that are lower in methyl mercury.
    • Joint FAO/WHO Expert Consultation on Fats and Fatty Acids in Human Nutrition 2010
  • Adults - 250mg/day EPA/DHA
  • Pregnant/lactating women 300mg/day EPA/DHA, of which at least 200mg/day should be DHA
    • (note: g converted to mg for consistency)
    1 Scientific Opinion on Dietary Reference Values for fats, including saturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, trans fatty acids, and cholesterol (published 25th March 2010)
    2 Interim Summary of Conclusions and Dietary Recommendations on Total Fat & Fatty Acids. Published March 2010.

    The world’s top doctors and major health institutions recommend Omega-3 from fish and fish oil (EPA/DHA) and include:

    American Heart Association (AHA)

    Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments (AFSSA)

    American Dietetic Association

    American Psychiatric Association (APA)

    British Nutrition Foundation (BNF)

    Dietitians of Canada

    Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

    Health Canada

    Heart Foundation of Australia (HFA)

    International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids & Lipids (ISSFAL)

    US Department of Agriculture, Dietary Guidelines for Americans (USDA)

    US Food & Drug Administration, Dietary Guidelines for Americans (FDA)

    World Health Organization (WHO)

     

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