So....How much fish oil?

[jbish8]

After some good advice and researching that I should supplement with 10 grams of fish oil per day (3g of EPA/DHA), I went to Costco and found a cheap brand that met these requirements. One capsule is 1000mg so I would need to eat 10 of these. Am I doing my math right and if so does any one know of an easier way or place to get this whithout having to choke down 10 of these enormous horse pills each day?........On the flip side, I've noticed I can swim alot faster this week, which is really cool!!!

 

[Marat]

You are correct with your math. And yes, 3g of EPA/DHA. There are some companies that produce capsules that contain more than 300mg EPA/DHA. Just search around online for them. Liquids are available too --you'd only need about 3 teaspoons for the three grams, but I hear that they are absolutely disgusting.

I personally just go with the 10 capsules.

 

[jbish8]

You are correct with your math. And yes, 3g of EPA/DHA. There are some companies that produce capsules that contain more than 300mg EPA/DHA. Just search around online for them. Liquids are available too --you'd only need about 3 teaspoons for the three grams, but I hear that they are absolutely disgusting.

I personally just go with the 10 capsules.

Ahhhh well. I was afraid that was gonna be the answer. I guess I'll just have to stop whinin' and add some more capsules to the old vitamin stack.

 

[jbish8]

What does EPA/DHA stand for anyways?

 

[Marat]

It's not so bad. I eat like 4 times a day so I take 3 with each meal and then just throw in 1 more.

They stand for docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid.

It's vital to your success that you remember those two terms.

 

[nkira]

I am quoting this from Built's PM,

The AHA acknowledges that the true requirement is unknown, but advises a doctor's supervision for intakes of higher than 3g combined EPA/DHA from capsules:

<Fish and Omega-3 Fatty Acids>
"Patients taking more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids from capsules should do so only under a physician’s care. High intakes could cause excessive bleeding in some people."


The author cites this 2002 paper:
<Fish Consumption, Fish Oil, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and Cardiovascular Disease -- Kris-Etherton et al. 106 (21): 2747 -- Circulation>
"Since the first omega-3 fatty acid advisory,1 the FDA has ruled that intakes of up to 3 g/d of marine omega-3 fatty acids are GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) for inclusion in the diet."

The concentration of EPA/DHA in fish oil caps can vary a LOT,

GNC's fish oil caps has DHA 120mg / cap & EPA 180mg/ cap, where as SANN's 3X Fish oil caps have DHA 297mg & EPA 580.5mg.

Just for the record.....I am not promoting any brand here.


Hope that helps,

 

[gtbmed]

How could consumption of an oil cause "excessive bleeding"? I don't really buy that. Can someone explain?

 

[nkira]

Excerpt,

"This is particularly true for CLL patients, who may have problems with low platelets that expose them to risk of easy bleeding. There is some research that shows excessive amounts of omega-3 acids may make bleeding problems worse. If your platelet counts are on the low side, I strongly urge you to consult with your physician before you embark on any heavy duty supplementation or dietary modification"

http://www.clltopics.org/datafiles/FishConsumptionCardiovascularDisease.pdf

 

[bandaidwoman]

You are correct with your math. And yes, 3g of EPA/DHA. There are some companies that produce capsules that contain more than 300mg EPA/DHA. Just search around online for them. Liquids are available too --you'd only need about 3 teaspoons for the three grams, but I hear that they are absolutely disgusting.

I personally just go with the 10 capsules.

you can try prescription lovaza, 2 capsules has the equivalent of 2 g epa so four capsules gives you 4 g

http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/mhprograms/efc/Omega-3-acid ethyl esters (Lovaza).doc

because it is prescription the dose of epa is highly regulated and standardized

surgeons will tell their patients to stop taking fish oil one week prior to surgery since it does increase bleeding diathesis.

 

[nkira]

bandaidwoman, Prescription fatty acids are way more expensive than the regular fish oil caps.

I was also suggested the prescription(Omacor) epa, dha. The price for one bottle was in the range of $245.00 for 196 caps, regular extra strength fish oil caps are more economical, $98 for 196 caps.

My 2 cents.

 

[bandaidwoman]

bandaidwoman, Prescription fatty acids are way more expensive than the regular fish oil caps.

I was also suggested the prescription(Omacor) epa, dha. The price for one bottle was in the range of $245.00 for 196 caps, regular extra strength fish oil caps are more economical, $98 for 196 caps.

My 2 cents.

You are right, but it depends on the insurance. SOme people only pay a 10-20 dollar copay and prefer that to taking 10 - 15 otc fish oil capsules. If your insruance does not have it on its first or second tier, it is very very very expensive. By the way omacor was the old name for lovaza. they renamed it.

International Fish Oil Standards - IFOS

i use this site to assess the purity and quality of otc fish oil preparations. Because there is no regulation, fish oil products may only contain half the epa dose advertised on the bottle etc or put fillers in like olive oil.

 

[jbish8]

Thanks for all the great info everyone. So just clarify a little Nkira, You caution taking too much FISH OIL right? Not omega 3's in general? I'm asking, cause I'm wondering if I need to watch my intake from other sources other than marine when supplementing the fish oil?
Also thanks for the suggestions on how to choke down less pills but spreading it out through the day should make it easier.
Just out of curiosity, has anyone heard anything negative about the kirkland brand fish oil (from Costco)? It says the oil comes from wild fish and that 300mg out of the 1000mg is the epa/dha omega 3's but it doesn't give a breakdown between the two (epa/dha). I registered to the site that you suggested Bandaid, but I'm impatient, so I was wondering if you could check the brand out. It's "Kirkland fish oil omega 3".
By the way I don't know if what I got is good or not, but if it has what it should, then it is far less expensive than what I'm hearing from everyone here. It was $10.00 for 400 capsules.

 

[nkira]

Omega-3 is made up of EPA + DHA + ALA (alpha-Linolenic acid),

So yes, you should keep an eye on the amount of Omega-3 that comes from other sources.

Kirkland brand fish oil macros, (Kirkland Signature Fish Oil Concentrate 1000 mg - 400 Softgels)

Natural Fish Oil Concentrate 1000 mg [Containing EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) 180 mg, DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) 120 mg] = Total 300mg

PS :- It also contains 3mg cholesterol per cap, if you are taking 10caps a day then you are consuming 30mg of cholesterol.

The one I use have zero cholesterol.

 

[jbish8]

Thanks Nkira. looks like I didn't do too bad. I don't get much cholesterol in my normal diet so I think I'll just stick with this and probly' cut my serving down to 8 capsules so I don't have to worry about it.