DHA Dosage (Cont.)

 

DHA Dosing for Heart Disease Treatment

The AHA recommends that people with diagnosed coronary heart disease (CHD), also known as coronary artery disease (CAD), should consume about 1 gram (1000 mg) of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids daily, preferably from eating fish. In the likely event that you have difficulty obtaining the recommended amount through diet, the AHA suggests that you consider a supplement (under the supervision of your healthcare provider) in order to get the recommended 1 gram of omega-3 fatty acids per day.
 
The AHA does not provide a recommendation for the use of DHA alone (without EPA), probably because there is more evidence that the combination is effective for this use.
 

DHA for Heart Disease Prevention

The AHA does not recommend omega-3 fatty supplements (including DHA) for people who do not have a diagnosis of heart disease or high triglycerides. Instead, it recommends that people eat a variety of fish at least twice a week. Oily fish (such as salmon or trout) are preferred over non-oily fish (such as cod or halibut), since non-oily fish are low in omega-3 fatty acids.
 

General Information on Dosing for DHA

Some considerations for people taking DHA include:
 
  • Since the manufacturing of supplements (such DHA) is not closely regulated, it is important to choose a trustworthy manufacturer for DHA supplements. It is a good idea to look for the "USP" symbol, since this means that the supplement has been tested and contains the right ingredients in the right amounts.
     
  • Some fish (and, therefore, some DHA supplements) contain heavy metals and other toxins. Often, DHA supplements are purified in order to remove these toxins. Make sure to choose a DHA supplement from a reputable manufacturer. Your pharmacist can help you choose a good DHA supplement. DHA derived from non-fish sources are probably less likely to have these problems.
     
  • If you have any chronic health problems or take any prescription medications, it is probably a good idea to check with your healthcare provider before taking DHA.
     
  • If you are unsure about anything related to your dosage or DHA dosing in general, please talk with your healthcare provider.
     
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;