What DHA Fish Oil Dosage Should You Be Taking, 500mg Or 1000mg?
By Milton Haslam
There are various suggested DHA fish oil dosages but the two most popular ones are 500mg and 1000mg. It is not that simple though. Just looking at the label and reading the amounts will not give you the whole story.
First, there are eight essential omega-3 fatty acids of which DHA and EPA are the two most important. You may see a third one every now and then, and it is called ALA. It is derived from plant sources and is very inexpensive to make. It is also very inefficient in that our bodies have to convert it into other omega-3s in order to be effective – a process that does not happen easily. As you get older or have health problems, it may not happen at all.
Over the past decade, numerous studies have shown that the proper DHA fish oil dosage is more important than any of the other omega-3s including EPA. The brain and immune system are particularly affected which underscores the need for paying close attention to the label. Many products will only tell you the total omega-3 dosage without listing them individually. I feel real safe in telling you that your health benefits will be limited with this type of supplement.
Along these lines, choose a product that has more DHA than EPA. A good rule of thumb is preferably twice as much. If your body needs another omega 3, than any excess DHA will convert to it fairly easily.
Ok. What DHA fish oil dosage should you take – 500mg or 1000mg [1gram]? Many nutritionists and naturopaths believe that you should be taking 2-3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids per day. Most supplements come in one gram soft gel capsules so one capsule with each meal will do it. If you are new to this then start with one per day and gradually increase the dosage.
Warning. My suggestions in the previous paragraph assume you bought a DHA rich supplement – at least 200mg per capsule. If you didn't, you are not getting the maximum benefits, probably very few.
In conclusion, look at the label or the website. There should not be a batch of additives. Things like vitamin E or rosemary extract are natural preservatives – no problem. Things like talc or titanium dioxide (paint additive) are basically crushed rock – big problem – and I have seen one or the other is in several products.
For more detailed information on everything that I have discussed, please visit my website.
Learn about the DHA fish oil that we use daily after extensive product comparisons and research. Visit: http://www.omega-3-guide.com/
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