How much is too much omega 3?

Stefaniepr

I've asked my OB this question, and she said that the medical feedback isn't conclusive enough to be able to provide a proper answer to this question.  She told me that the reserch is still new, and so this is a decision I'll have to make on my own.  When I showed her what I was taking she suggested I take only one capsule instead of the recommended 2 on the back of the bottle if I was concerned.  I was taking prenatal omega 3, which had 820 mg in the 2 capsule dosage, but it made me burp fish all day.  So, I switched to this stuff:

https://www.sndcanada.com/ascenta_nutrasea_-_original_lemon_flavour,_200_ml.html

It tastes like lemon and I doesn't come with the disgusting fish burps.  The issue however, is that it has 1,500 mg of Omega 3.  Does that seem like a lot?  How much do you take?

Lolita0626

I take Expecta, and I believe it has 200mg of DHA.

grinsandgiggles

I take Women's One a Day Prenatal and it has 440mg of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, which broken down is 240mg of EPA and 200mg of DHA.

peachypear

It looks as if the NIH have declared an acceptable intake (AI) for omega-3 is 1.1 grams per day for women (or no more than 1.2% of your total calories). There is no upper limit (UL). But the FDA say no more than 2 g/day from supplements.

1,500 mg/day is 1.5 g/day. Looks like you're in the safe zone by FDA standards. Please note that these standards are not specific to pregnant or breastfeeding women. That population often has different limits or recommendations, but I was unable to find any for omega-3s (likely due to lack of research). If you have concerns, you should check with a nutritionist.

I suppose you've already looked - but your omega-3 supplement should be mercury free.

Stefaniepr

peachypear:

It looks as if the NIH have declared an acceptable intake (AI) for omega-3 is 1.1 grams per day for women (or no more than 1.2% of your total calories). There is no upper limit (UL). But the FDA say no more than 2 g/day from supplements.

1,500 mg/day is 1.5 g/day. Looks like you're in the safe zone by FDA standards. Please note that these standards are not specific to pregnant or breastfeeding women. That population often has different limits or recommendations, but I was unable to find any for omega-3s (likely due to lack of research). If you have concerns, you should check with a nutritionist.

I suppose you've already looked - but your omega-3 supplement should be mercury free.

Thank you for this! 

peachypear

Stefaniepr:

peachypear:

It looks as if the NIH have declared an acceptable intake (AI) for omega-3 is 1.1 grams per day for women (or no more than 1.2% of your total calories). There is no upper limit (UL). But the FDA say no more than 2 g/day from supplements.

1,500 mg/day is 1.5 g/day. Looks like you're in the safe zone by FDA standards. Please note that these standards are not specific to pregnant or breastfeeding women. That population often has different limits or recommendations, but I was unable to find any for omega-3s (likely due to lack of research). If you have concerns, you should check with a nutritionist.

I suppose you've already looked - but your omega-3 supplement should be mercury free.

Thank you for this! 

No prob I'm an epidemiologist, so health research is my thing.

Oh, and BTW, you may find this interesting. https://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/omega-3-000316.htm

Belle15

That's not alot..I take 2 to 3 gms a day, generally one capsule with each meal.  If you're burping it up, try taking it before you eat, refrigerating it or if that doesn't work, freezing them.