Fish oil is essential to brain health. Our brains are made up of nearly sixty percent fat and they need beneficial fat to be healthy. If we do not take in enough of the fat in fish oil, we may endure depression. With scientific findings in the news regularly on the use of fish for and depression, a question is: What is a good fish oil dose for depression?
Research in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that Americans should take 3 1/2 grams of EPA and DHA each day to decrease the probability of heart disease, stroke, and depression. EPA and DHA are long-chain Omega 3 fats found in fish oil. Fish oil researcher Andrew Stoll, Ph.D. recommends 4 grams of EPA every day for those fighting depression. The recommendation of 4 grams of EPA every day is high but essential to refill what has been missing in our diet.
EPA and DHA are certain long chain fatty acids found most commonly in fatty fish. That is why fish oil is the most common source of these beneficial fats. To a lesser degree, these fats are found in eggs enriched with Omega 3 and grass fed beef and lamb. EPA is not present in vegetarian sources of Omega 3 fats such as hemp oil.
One method for meeting the goal of 3-4 grams of EPA and DHA each day is to eat more fish. One 3-ounce serving of a fatty fish such as salmon may have 1-3 grams of EPA and could meet your fish oil daily requirement.
Most people will meet their requirement with a fish oil pill. If you are shopping for a supplement, it is critical that you read the label in detail. The front of the bottle may list "1000 mg of fish oil." That is one gram of Omega 3 fat. On second glance, you may realize that the oil has only 120 milligrams of EPA. You would require about thirty doses to meet the recommended amount of fish oil for depression. Not only is that product costly, but it is hard to imagine swallowing that much fish oil.
Read the fine print on the label and try to consume 4 grams of EPA and DHA from fish oil each day.