Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

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Sorry...I know I should know this by now, but I'm suddenly second-guessing myself. For those of you who take fish oil caps, when figuring out your dose do you base it on total mgs of EPA/DHA or total mgs of plain ole fish oil. In other words, if I'm told to take "6,000 mgs fish oil a day", I figure on 6 caps, but that only actually gives me roughly 1,800 mgs EPA/DHA in the oil I have available. To get 6,000 mgs of EPA/DHA, I'd need to pop 20 caps a day.

I'm fine with either, but am wondering what the recommendations actually mean.

Anyone know?

flag	asked Mar 23 2011 at 12:36 Riveted 3,717●1●5●20

I strongly reccomend you read this before overdosing on fish oil. paleonu.com/panu-weblog/2011/1/29/… Corn oil + alcohol causes cirrhosis in rats. So does fish oil + alcohol. Saturated fat + alcohol does not. high-fat-nutrition.blogspot.com/2009/12/… – Dave S. Mar 24 2011 at 18:52

Dexter · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-23 13:07:10Z UTC

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http://www.heartscanblog.org/2008/12/getting-your-dose-of-fish-oil-right.html

Take a look at Dr Davis' blog. It may help you determine how much EPA/DHA to take.

answered Mar 23 2011 at 13:07

Dexter
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	Awesome link, thanks! – Riveted Mar 23 2011 at 13:41
	Dr Davis has 50 postings on fish oil. Be sure to read them all by clicking "older posts" at the end of each page. heartscanblog.org/search/label/Fish%20oil – Dexter Mar 23 2011 at 14:33

ChuckC · Answer 2 · 2011-03-23 13:18:52Z UTC

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http://whole9life.com/fish-oil/

Read the FAQ before going all hog wild on dosages.

answered Mar 23 2011 at 13:18

ChuckC
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Oranges13 · Answer 3 · 2011-03-23 12:46:05Z UTC

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I would say to supplement whatever you're taking in fish oil with some fatty fish, such as salmon or tuna just to make it easier to stomach, and more fun.

answered Mar 23 2011 at 12:46

Oranges13
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Deidre · Answer 4 · 2011-03-23 13:51:55Z UTC

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I calculated mine yesterday on the new whole 9 calculator. 40 capsules required. 2 capsules provide 67% of the Vitamin E per day, multiply that by 20. A little concerned considering that my Vitamin D has quite a bit too. Be careful!

answered Mar 23 2011 at 13:51

Deidre
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	You might want to use "just" fish oil (not cod liver, not fish oil with added vitamins) with such amounts as 40 capsules. – Ikco Mar 23 2011 at 15:27
	They all seem to have Vitamin E in them. Some just don't list an amount in comparison to the RDA. I bought a liquid one yesterday (blah). It didn't say the amount, but per teaspoon you get much more EPA, so I am just going to suck it up! – Deidre Mar 24 2011 at 13:11

felonyOne · Answer 5 · 2011-03-23 14:17:47Z UTC

I prefer to judge how many capsules I need to take by whether or not they make me go to the bathroom. According to the Whole9's FAQ when you take too much your body will tell you so and thus end up going to the bathroom.

So, if I can maintain a consistent workout schedule/regimen, as well as consistent number of sleep hours, then I know I'm taking just the right amount of Fish Oil if I don't have to run to the bathroom.

Not an exact science really but hey, I don't want to be taking 18+ capsules a day either.

Fish Oil Math: how do you calculate your dose?

5 Answers