How many fish oil pills should i take a day

First, it is very good that you are questioning the suggested dose on your supplement. Unlike OTC and prescription drugs, recommendations on supplements are not set or approved by the FDA and often vary widely from product to product, even among those which have the same ingredients. Supplements are actually classified as a food and not a drug. This is also why supplement labels don't refer to a "dose" but to a "serving size."

If you are taking fish oil for a specific health concern, a higher dose may be beneficial.  Specific amounts for purposes such as the treatment of high triglycerides, improving mood, reducing anxiety, and even maintaining weight during chemotherapy, are listed in the ConsumerTips section of the Fish and Marine Oil Supplements Review.  Be aware that there are safety concerns with high doses of fish oil, particularly a risk of bleeding and immune suppression (see the Concerns and Cautions section of the Review).  The Review includes our tests and comparisons of dozens of fish oil supplements.

According to nutritionist Catherine Collins, spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association, Omega 3 has few side effects. “In high doses it can relax the muscle at the bottom of the oesophagus/top of the stomach and cause reflux or heartburn,” she says.

“Omega-3 notionally has the potential to influence blood-clotting mechanisms, making blood less likely to clot. This would have implications for gastric bleeding, risk of haemorrhagic stroke etc. However this potential effect is thought not to be significant in daily life.”

Professor Lesley Braun, a senior research fellow from the department of medicine at Monash University in Melbourne, analysed the research around bleeding and found that randomised trials and observational studies conducted in hospitals with inpatients “largely failed to find evidence of clinically significant bleeding at standard doses”.

This conclusion is supported by a 2013 review of 10 trials involving 994 adults, over 60 years of age, which reported no difference in total adverse rates between placebo and fish oil groups.

“In practice the potential benefits of omega-3 EFAs outweigh possible bleeding risks for the vast majority of people, when used as clinically indicated,” says Professor Braun. “As with all people taking warfarin, INR [a measure of how long it takes for blood to clot] should continue to be monitored and medication dosage adjusted if there’s a significant change. Additionally people with bleeding disorders or listed for neurosurgery need special supervision."

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version. © Therapeutic Research Faculty 2018.

Fish oil supplements are a popular part of a sound nutrition regimen for many people of all ages. Doctors often recommend them because they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 is very beneficial to your body, particularly your heart, eyes, and brain. It also decreases inflammation.

‌Older adults who take fish oil may find even greater benefits from the supplement. 

Why and How Should You Take Fish Oil?

‌‌The American Heart Association endorses omega-3 fatty acids as a regular part of your diet. They recommend two servings of fatty fish per week to reduce the risk of stroke and heart disease. 

Supplements. Your body can't create these essential fatty acids naturally. Supplements and omega-3 rich foods are the only way to get them.

Lifestyle changes. To get the greatest benefits from taking fish oil supplements, combine them with lifestyle changes. Weight loss, regular exercise, and improving your diet will further reduce your risk of stroke and heart disease. Avoiding refined carbohydrates and processed sugar in addition to choosing plant-based fats will also help. 

Medications. For older adults, there are even more considerations beyond the cardiovascular link. Omega-3 may also help lower your bad cholesterol, or triglyceride, levels. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also approved prescription-only omega-3 medications. These are specifically for individuals whose triglyceride levels are higher than 500 mg/dL.

Just 4 grams of this prescription omega-3 per day can help most people lower their triglyceride levels by as much as 30%. Consult your doctor if you have other conditions such as hypothyroidism or Type 2 diabetes. These may cause your triglyceride levels to increase.

Is Fish Oil Safe for Older Adults?

Fish oil for older adults is generally considered safe. Some people do report a few rather mild side effects of fish oil which can include:

  • ‌Heartburn
  • Bad taste
  • Nausea
  • Bad breath
  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • Sweat that smells “fishy”
  • Gastrointestinal discomfort

Medication interactions. Keep in mind that fish oil can interact with certain medications. One of the most notable is its potential to interact with anticoagulants such as Coumadin or Warfarin. When taken in high doses, fish oil can increase clotting times which can cause problems with bleeding. 

Fish oil is not as potent as aspirin, but it does seem to affect blood clotting. Combining it with medications that prevent blood clotting could cause a problem. However, many doctors will monitor their patients rather than take them off of the fish oil supplements. In other words, it can be managed, and you can still get the benefits of the supplement.

It varies. ‌The FDA does not regulate fish oil and has not set any official recommendations regarding how much you should take each day. There have been some recommendations for certain types of fish oil, including DHA and EPA. The reference daily intake (RDI) of DHA and EPA is 250 to 500 milligrams.

If you are an older adult, you should lean toward the lower end of that scale. Older adults and the elderly typically shouldn't take more than 250 milligrams of EPA and DHA daily. However, when treating high triglycerides, your doctor may recommend up to 15 grams if you have high blood pressure and as much as 10 grams if you have rheumatoid arthritis.

What Foods Are High in Omega-3?

‌When you are trying to include more omega-3 in your diet, one of the best things you can do is eat foods that are rich in the nutrient.  Incorporating these omega 3 foods into your diet is an easy way for you to reap its health benefits. Some of the most popular foods that have very high omega-3 levels are:

  • ‌Cod liver oil
  • Walnuts
  • Salmon
  • Sardines
  • Flax seeds
  • Mackerel
  • Soybeans
  • Oysters
  • Herring
  • Chia seeds
  • Anchovies

Whether you use fish oil supplements or eat omega 3 rich foods regularly, you are making a choice that can provide your body with a number of great health benefits.

Show Sources

Sources:

‌Archives of Internal Medicine: “Efficacy of omega-3 fatty acid supplements in the secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease: a meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials.” 

Circulation: “Omega-3 fatty Acids for the Management of Hypertriglyceridemia: A Science Advisory From the American Heart Association.”

Critical reviews in food science and nutrition: "How does high DHA fish oil affect health? A systematic review of evidence."

DGA: "Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2020 - 2025."

‌EFSA Journal: “Scientific Opinion on the Tolerable Upper Intake Level of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA).”

‌heart.org: "Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids.”

National Institutes of Health: “Omega-3 Fatty Acids.”

Neurobiology of Aging: “Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on cognitive performance: a meta-analysis.” 

Nutrients: “Dietary Intakes of EPA and DHA Omega-3 Fatty Acids among US Childbearing Age and Pregnant Women.” 

How many fish oil capsules should I take a day?

Though there are no conclusive recommendations, 250–500 mg per day of combined EPA and DHA — of which fish oil is an excellent source — is enough for most healthy people. Keep in mind that this will vary depending on your needs. In addition, pregnant women, infants and children may require different dosages.

Can I take fish oil twice a day?

Some people experience gastrointestinal side effects when taking fish oil. If a person experiences this side effect, they may find it helpful to split their fish oil into two doses and take them at different times of the day. People who split their dose in half may need to take each one at different mealtimes.

Can I take 3 fish oil a day?

There is no established upper limit of omega-3 intake. According to the NIH, the FDA have suggested that people should take no more than 3 g per day of DHA and EPA combined. Over long periods, scientists say that omega-3 can reduce immune system function because it lowers the body's inflammatory responses.

How much omega

Official omega-3 dosage guidelines Overall, most of these organizations recommend a minimum of 250–500 mg combined EPA and DHA each day for healthy adults. This can be obtained from about 8 ounces of fatty fish per week ( 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ).