How much omega 3 should I take ?
 

How much omega 3 should I take daily ? I ordered fish oil capsules having 750mg omega 3(attached pic, please tell me if it looks good). My GP has no clue about omega 3 and brain injury so he is not sure of the dosage. I take one of these capsules in the morning but I am thinking to take one more after dinner. Will it be OK? Thanks

3 a day is a good start. They are best taken with some food.

Daily:
EPA - 1500
DHA - 500

Get the best quality you can find.

What is the maximum one should take?

I take 4800mg a day(= 1920mg EPA and 920mg DHA)

I have started taking fish oil since a few days and believe me it has made me feel depressed. I have become very irritable and angry and just want to kill myself. Now i am not saying its bad as i maybe one of the unlikely cases reacting differently but i have decided to take it on alternate days.

Hi Chris,

Where do you find Omega 3 with high a dosage of EPA and DHA? And how much does it cost?

I live in Italy and am finding it impossible to.source such high dose Omega 3, even from Norway. It's impossible to send anything from the States as it will only be confiscated.

Thanks.

PS. I just read that for bipolar or major depression one needs 9.6 grams a day!! That seems over the top. Others recommend 4 grams (obviously I'm talking about EPA and DHA here And not just the strength written on the front label.
It all gets very confusing and my Pdoc here just blows the whole fish oil thing off as useless. Nice.

Hello Mandour,

Welcome to the NeuroTalk Support Groups.

There is a thread in the Vitamins forum that I'll post below. You might find some information there that is helpful.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread6092.html
Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) and Health:

I got in touch with a neurosurgeon who is primarily using omega 3 fatty acids as a way to help rebuild neural connections in patients with TBI. He said that every patient is different. It did recommend a brand 'nordic naturals' which by chance I have been taking due to then not having a fishy aftertaste!

His website is http://www.brainhealtheducation.org/omega-3-protocol/
And he recommended to me the Omega 3 protocol. Check it out!

Lots of great info on there as well.

He also recommended a broad B complex alongside the Omega 3's.

Hope that helps!

Cheers!

Hi Galaxy1012

You might find this Scientific Opinion from the European Food Safety Authority about the Tolerable Upper Intake Levels of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA, DHA and DPA) - ie, how much of them you can take as supplements on a daily basis without potential adverse health effects, helpful: http://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/2815.htm .

My 125g cans of mackerel say they contains 2.3g of omega 3 so I guess that amount is safe since I'm still around :-)