Looking for the Right Fish Oil Dosage?

Okay, so you're convinced about the health benefits of fish oils...now how do you figure out the correct fish oil dosage to achieve those benefits?

You could follow the suggested serving sizes indicated on the labels of some fish oil bottles. But how much fish oil is right for your individual needs?

Unfortunately, this isn't a one-size-fits-all situation. How much fish oil to take will depend on your age, physical health and underlying health conditions.

Fortunately, there exists a scientific society made up of scientists, medical researchers, physicians and educators whose sole purpose is the study of dietary fats/oils and how they affect your health.

The ISSFAL, a United Kingdom-based think tank, reviews medical studies on fish oils, fatty acids and lipids. They publish fish oil dosage recommendations based on the current medical data.

Fish Oil Dosage Recommendations by the ISSFAL:

Pregnant and Lactating Women

- based on study released in British Journal of Nutrition 2007.

- you should aim for at least 200 mg/day of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

- fish oil dosages up to 1 gram/day of DHA or 2 - 7 grams/day of omega 3 fatty acids showed showed no side effects.

- women of childbearing age should eat 1 - 2 servings of fish per week, including oily fish.

- pregnant mothers should supplement with fish oils rather than flaxseed oil to increase brain-supporting DHA levels in the fetal brain.

- here's more detailed information on that study at the ISSFAL website.

Chidren under 18 years of Age

-due to the wide range of individual treatment situations in this age group, the ISSFAL has yet to determine how much fish oil to give to children. More research is needed before reaching definitive conclusions.

-if you have concerns, contact your Physician or Health Care Provider before supplementing your child's diet with fish oils

Normal Healthy Adults:

- recommend minimum dosage of fish oil is 500 mg/day of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA to reduce your risk for coronary heart disease.

- if you have coronary heart disease, the American Heart Association's fish oil dosage recommendations are 1 gram/day of EPA + DHA and 2 - 4 grams/day if you wish to lower triglyceride levels.

Preterm and Term Infants:

- researchers believe omega 3 fats may enhance an infant's immune system and improve visual acuity, but more research is needed before health authorities recommend how much fish oil is safe and effective.

- most regulatory authorities allow the addition of omega 3 and omega 6 to infant formulas and stipulate that the level of omega 3 doesn't exceed the amount of arachidonic acid. Breast milk contains arachidonic acid which helps in the growth of your baby's nervous system.

Although the ISSFAL hasn't issued recommendations for an appropriate dosage of fish oil for term infants, the World Association of Perinatal Medicine Early Nutrition Academy and Child Health Foundation strongly supports the benefits of adding docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AA) to infant formula.

Their recommendations include:

• DHA should be at least 0.2% of total fatty acid intake and not exceed 0.5% of fatty acids.
• The amount of AA should at least equal DHA levels.
• EPA should not exceed DHA.

Hopefully, this information will help you determine the right fish oil dosage for you and your loved ones. Remember that these are only recommendations. Always seek the advice of your Physician or Health Care Provider before starting any nutritional supplement regimen.