Maintenance
Research suggests 500 mg EPA+DHA to reduce the risk of deficiency.
Fatty acids essential for optimal health.
Did you know that the human body is made up of approximately 37 trillion cells, and each one of them contains important omega-3 fatty acids that the body needs to stay healthy and function normally?
It is true. Evidence from over 30,000 studies conducted on EPA and DHA indicate they play important roles throughout the body as influential structural components of cell membranes. However, the human body cannot produce the essential fats needed to create these important omega-3 fatty acids on its own, which is why we must rely on outside sources like cold-water fish and flaxseed to get the EPA and DHA we need for optimal cellular health and functioning.
This is one of the first questions people interested in omega-3s usually ask, and also one of the most difficult to answer. Because there is not a universal consensus on EPA and DHA dosage, a recommended daily amount for omega-3s has not been established the way it has for nutrients like vitamin C or calcium. Health experts typically suggest daily intakes based on a person’s stage of life, health status, nutritional profile, and what the research shows. But one thing is true for everyone: omega-3s are foundational to cellular health, and thus fundamental to optimal health across the lifespan.
Research suggests 500 mg EPA+DHA to reduce the risk of deficiency.
A growing body of research suggests between 1000 and 1500 mg EPA+DHA daily for proactive support.
Research suggests more than 1500mg EPA+DHA daily for high-intensity support.
Omega-3 recommendations for infants and children vary by age and weight, but the vast majority of children do not get enough omega-3s because they do not eat enough cold-water fish. Nursing also affects babies’ omega-3 status, as nursing delivers much of mum’s omega-3s to her child. In early childhood, DHA is particularly important because the brain relies heavily on DHA for growth and development. From about age four to adolescence, most children benefit from a higher ratio of EPA to DHA for general health.
Daily Omega-3s
varies by age & weight
Adults need a minimum of 500 mg EPA+DHA daily for optimal health. However, more than this amount (sometimes much more) is recommended for specific health concerns. The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that individuals consume 1000 mg to 4000 mg omega-3 EPA+DHA daily, depending on their state of health.[1] For people with high triglycerides they recommend 2000–4000 mg. No adjustments to intake are indicated for older people. It’s worth noting that the U.S. FDA set a “Generally Regarded as Safe” level of 3000 mg per day for omega-3s.
500
mg EPA+DHA daily
Although the American Pregnancy Association recommends supplemental omega-3s during pregnancy, your doctor may or may not have mentioned their importance. As a baby develops it relies on these essential fats to grow, so it is crucial that expecting mothers consume consistent amounts. The need for omega-3s is greatest during the third trimester, when a baby’s rapid brain growth depletes maternal stores of omega-3 DHA.
2+ to 1
DHA to EPA
Most of the concentrated fish oils on the market today are formulated for cost-savings rather than quality and efficacy. Their manufacturing process is cut short, resulting in omega-3s as ethyl ester molecules—synthetic fats with only about 30 years of history in the human diet.
Not at Nordic Naturals. All of our omega-3 fish oil products are produced in the triglyceride form, which is the form naturally found in fish and the form the body most easily recognises and absorbs. Triglyceride-form fish oils require more manufacturing steps, and take longer to produce, but for us, there is no other way. Our patented oxygen-free manufacturing process allows us to deliver industry-leading purity and freshness levels documented by third-party test results.
Sustainbility sourced from the Norwegian Sea.
Omega-3 fatty acids come from two main sources: marine sources like cold-water fish and algae, and plant-based sources like flax and green vegetables. People mistakenly think these two sources are equally beneficial, but marine sources are actually far superior. Here’s why.
Flax contains essential fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which can be converted to the two primary fats shown to benefit health, EPA and DHA.
However, even under optimal lifestyle and health conditions, only about 5% of ALA converts to EPA, and just 0.5% converts to DHA. Put in simpler terms, consuming a 10-ounce bag of flax-meal would provide the equivalent amount of EPA+DHA found in a single serving of Nordic Naturals fish oil. In light of the body’s limited ability to convert EPA and DHA from ALA, it is generally recommended that omega-3s be obtained directly from cold-water fish or fish oil.
Since our founding, Nordic Naturals has always been deeply committed to the health of our oceans.
All our fish sourcing complies with the Norwegian fisheries management system
We use responsible fishing gear to protect against bycatch
We use line and net fishing methods that prevent seafloor and ecosystem damage
Our coastal processing facilities are leaders in minimising pollution and conserving resources
Nordic Naturals starts with the very best raw material available. Our quality control begins in the ocean with our careful choice of fish species that are naturally low in toxins and high in omega-3 fats.
All our omega-3 products are made exclusively from three types of wild fish. None of the fish we use is endangered, and all are caught from some of the cleanest waters in the world. We respect important fishing regulations when sourcing our raw materials, including quotas, minimum catch sizes, fishing ground closures, and fishing methods.
Our business is based on natural resources. We know it is up to us to use them responsibly. Nordic Naturals manufacturing plant in Arctic Norway is a testament to this belief. It is powered entirely by unused biofuel that is a byproduct of the fish oil manufacturing process, with surplus energy provided to neighbouring businesses. Cutting-edge technologies allow us to use fewer raw materials to reach desired omega-3 concentration levels. And all the facility’s wastewater is thoroughly cleaned before being sent to the ocean.