Heart Health
The American Heart Association (AHA) has established the following guide containing recommended intakes for omega-3 fatty acids.
| Population |
Recommendation |
| Patients without documented coronary heart disease (CHD) |
Eat a variety of (preferably fatty) fish at least twice a week. Include oils and foods rich in alpha-linolenic acid (flaxseed, canola and soybean oils; flaxseed and walnuts). |
| Patients with documented CHD |
Consume about 1 g of EPA+DHA per day, preferably from fatty fish. EPA+DHA supplements could be considered in consultation with the physician. |
| Patients who need to lower triglycerides |
2 to 4 grams of EPA+DHA per day provided as capsules under a physician’s care. |
| Patients taking more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids from supplements should do so only under a physician’s care. High intakes could cause excessive bleeding in some people. |
| Source: American Heart Association |
Since 2000, the AHA has recommended that the U.S. population eat at least two servings of fish, particularly fatty fish, per week for their omega-3 (DHA & eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA) cardiovascular benefits. The AHA, however, tempers its recommendation by cautioning consumers to heed warnings from federal and state advisories on environmental pollutants and toxins found in certain fish.
In 2005, the USDA Dietary Guidelines recognized an association between the omega-3 fats found in fish (DHA & EPA) and good cardiovascular health.
* Based on a clinical study using 900mg DHA/day for 6 months in healthy adults 55+ with a mild memory complaint.