High DHA tuna oil in the diet of infants born prematurely may help treat mental impairment: EFSA approval: DHA and visual development in infants: DHA alone can lower triglycerides, says study: Omega oils could improve child's behaviour, learning: Omega-3 fatty acids could help improve lung function: Fish oils made tastier: Fish oils cool anger levels: More support for benefits of fish oil for asthmatics: Fish Slows Cognitive Decline, Increases Infants’ Cognitive Ability: Omega-3s could lower risk of dry eye syndrome:

How much do I need?

Despite universal recognition of the importance and essentiality of Omega-3s in our diet, there are no official RDIs\RDAs (Recommended Daily Intakes\Allowances) for general Omega-3s or Omega-3 DHA or Omega EPA specifically. Some countries have published Adequate Intakes or Daily Values (e.g. 130 mg and 90 - 160 mg of Long Chain Omega-3s for the US and Australia respectively), but these tend to be based on the presumption that the current average intakes are adequate and the population is healthy. Given the continued rise of diseases\conditions that Omega-3 DHA can positively impact upon, this presumption is seriously flawed.

Where reasonable regulatory advice is not available, we must look to recommendations from internationally respected scientific authorities and health advocates. Unfortunately, much of this advice is delivered in an inconsistent manner and does not always separate out the individual Omega-3s.

For example, the American Heart Association recommends eating fish (particularly fatty fish) at least 2 times a week and to include oils and foods rich in ALA. They do however further clarify this to 1 g/day of Omega-3 DHA+EPA for those with or at risk of Coronary Heart Disease.

The British Nutrition Foundation makes recommendations based on % of daily energy for Omega-6 LA and Omega-3 ALA, being 1.0% and 0.2% respectively, then follows this up with 1.25 g/day of Omega-3 DHA+EPA. This can be confusing for the customer, particularly when it is viewed alongside their Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition’s recommendations for 450 mg/day of Omega-3 DHA+EPA and 2 g/day of total Omega-3.

While these recommendations vary quite significantly, they all seem to converge around the recommendations of the world experts in lipids – ISSFAL (International Society for the Study of Fats and Lipids - http://www.issfal.org.uk/). Their recommendations suggest, an Adequate Intake of 500 mg/day of Omega-3 DHA+EPA and 0.7% of daily energy for Omega-3 ALA; along with 2.0% of daily energy for Omega-6 LA. ISSFAL also recognise the specific need for Omega-3 DHA, particularly for infants and pregnant mothers, so a significant portion of the 500 mg/day ought to be Omega-3 DHA (bear in mind that breast milk naturally contains around 5 times the level of Omega-3 DHA than Omega-3 EPA).

When compared with the low level of Omega-3 intakes in most Western diets, we all need to increase our intake of Omega-3 DHA.