If I Eat Fish, Should I Still Take a Fish Oil Supplement?
I eat fish twice a week, as recommended by the American Heart Association. Do I still need to take a fish oil supplement?
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Even if you eat fish twice a week, you may not be getting the levels of omega-3 fatty acids that your body needs for maximum heart disease prevention. The reason for this is that not all fish species contain the same amounts of omega-3s. While wild Alaskan salmon is a prime source (with 1,800 milligrams per 3-oz serving), other species, such as haddock, contain much smaller amounts (less than 200 milligrams per 3-oz serving).
We recommend that you get at least 1,000 milligrams of omega-3 per day in the form of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) – these are the two most beneficial forms of the fatty acids. Without a supplement, it’s very difficult to accurately monitor your intake and hit that healthy target, so we suggest you consider adding a fish oil supplement with 1,000 milligrams of EPA and DHA to your daily clean-eating regimen.
See 15 Succulent Salmon Recipes for fish recipes rich in omega-3s.
Registered dietitians Tiffani Bachus and Erin Macdonald are the co-founders and creators of URockGirl.com, a website dedicated to promoting wellness and a healthy, balanced lifestyle.