When taking Fish Oils the first priority is to understand the product you are using in order that you receive the correct dosage and the most effective breakdown of Fish Oils for your condition.

UNDERSTANDING EPA/DHA DOSAGES

The two primary active components in Fish Oils are EPA and DHA, each of which contribute to different functions in the human body. The normal standardized 1 gram tablet of Fish Oil will generally contain 180mg EPA and 120mg DHA. It is important to realize that this breakdown is the standardized dose of EPA/DHA, but not all capsules contain these levels.

There are two reasons why EPA/DHA levels may vary within products. Firstly, Fish Oil tablets may be concentrated such that there is an increased dosage of EPA/DHA per tablet in the same ratio as achieved from a standardized non-concentrated Fish Oil product. For example, a concentrated Fish Oil capsule may contain 360 EPA and 240mg DHA such that the ratio of EPA/DHA does not vary (being 3 parts EPA to 2 parts DHA). There are also Liquid Fish Oil supplements that come in highly concentrated dosages (5ml being equivalent to 8-9 standardized doses) yet in the standard Fish Oil ratio.

It is therefore important that you understand how taking a particular Fish Oil product affects the dosage of Fish Oil you are receiving. If, for example, you take Fish Oils according to information you have read, it is likely that you will be self prescribing according to a standardized dosage. In this case if you choose to use a concentrated Fish Oil Supplement, you may be able to use less capsules (4 compared to 8).

On the other hand, practitioners will often prescribe Fish Oils according to concentrated dosages, simply because consuming high levels of Fish Oils from standardized capsules means you may be taking up to 10 capsules a day.

It is important to realize this and account for it if you choose to take a standardized Fish Oil supplement due to cost.

SPECIFIC FISH OIL CONCENTRATIONS

The second reason that dosages may differ in a Fish Oil capsule or Liquid is through deliberate manipulation to suit specific medical conditions. As already noted, there are two important active components in Fish Oils, EPA and DHA. Both EPA and DHA have important and independent influences on the body and hence the use of different dosage concentrations can increase the effectiveness of particular Fish Oils.

What we understand of Fish Oils suggests that higher EPA levels are effective in the treatment of Mood and Psychiatric Conditions as well as control of Inflammatory Conditions (Joint Disease, Autoimmune Diseases, Asthma etc), while higher DHA levels may be effective in assisting with Stress and Memory/Learning. In regards to Heart Conditions, both EPA and DHA may be important, the former due to its minimisation of Inflammation, while DHA may have a role in decreasing Blood Pressure and improving cholesterol.

SO WHAT ARE MY CHOICES?

Firstly, let us consider doses for Prevention and Maintenance.
The first question to ask is how much fish you are eating from quality sources (Note: canned fish often lacks EPA/DHA as the Fish Oil has often been removed to make supplements).

If you are consuming three or more serves of quality Fish per week, then supplementation may not be necessary. On the other hand if you do not consume Fish at all, you may require the high end of the recommended maintenance dose.

When using Fish Oils for Treatment, you will need to ensure whatever dosage you are using is maintained if you choose a different form of supplement.

Obviously taste, cost and comfort will also be important. Some people find taking up to 8-10 standard capsules a day annoying, yet others find prefer consuming the Concentrated Liquid Oils. Standard capsules, however, will usually be cheaper when purchased in bulk.

MAINTENANCE DOSES:

1-4 Standard Fish Oil Capsules Daily Or
1-2 Concentrated Fish Oil Capsules
Or
1/3 - 1/2 Teaspoon Concentrated Liquid Fish Oil Daily

TREATMENT DOSES
(Eg. Arthritis, Cardiovascular Conditions)

4-8 Standard Fish Oil Capsules or
2-4 Concentrated Capsules ors choice is yours, however what we strongly recommend is you purchase a reputable product, which, in the least, is mercury, dioxin and PCB screened and tested.

CAN I SUBSTITUTE FLAXSEED OR FISH OILS?

Theoretically ALA, the fatty acid in these vegetable sources, can be chemically altered by the body to form both EPA and DHA as found in Fish Oils. This has led to many people advocating Flaxseed and LSA as an alternative to Fish Oils, however, the problem is that theory does not always translate to reality.

In fact the human body is not very effective in converting LSA to EPA and DHA, particular when influenced by a Western diet. This means that you will not get the known benefits from Fish Oils by taking Flaxseed or LSA.
1 teaspoon Concentrated Fish Oil