From the Guidelines
The recommended dosage of Omega-3 fatty acids for mental health is 1-2 g/day of total EPA from pure EPA or 1-2 g/day EPA from an EPA/DHA (>2:1) combination.
Key Considerations
- The dose can be increased in 2 weeks for non- or partial responders, and titrated up to the maximum dose in 4-6 weeks if tolerable 1.
- The EPA/DHA ratio of ≥2:1 is crucial to n–3 PUFAs’ antidepressant effects, with higher ratios of EPA associated with better therapeutic outcomes 1.
- The duration of treatment should be at least 8 weeks, with clinicians advised to check the quality of the n–3 PUFA prescription and evaluate response and tolerability profiles for an optimal duration 1.
Important Details
- Pure EPA and EPA/DHA combinations are effective as a potential treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD) 1.
- Monitoring of adverse effects is recommended, including gastrointestinal and dermatological conditions, and obtaining a comprehensive metabolic panel in patients receiving higher doses of n–3 PUFAs 1.
- Prescription n–3 fatty acid products (RxOM3FAs) may be considered if clinicians are not familiar with high-quality n–3 PUFAs in the market 1.
From the Research
Recommended Dosage of Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Mental Health
- The recommended daily intake of EPA and DHA for health benefits is around 500 mg, as suggested by experts and professional organizations 2.
- A more specific recommendation for improving the omega-3 index to ≥8% is a daily consumption of 1,000-1,500 mg of EPA plus DHA as triglycerides for at least 12 weeks 3.
- For mental health benefits, increased consumption of EPA and DHA is recommended, with suggested intakes ranging from 0.5 g/day for prevention to 1.0 g/day for treatment of chronic disease, such as depression 4.
- There is currently no established Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) for EPA and DHA, but the National Academies have recommended that approximately 10% of the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) for ALA can be consumed as EPA and/or DHA, which is around 100mg/day 5.
Key Considerations
- The bioavailability of EPA and DHA supplements can vary depending on their chemical composition, with triglycerides being more effective than other formulas 3.
- The optimal ratio of EPA to DHA for mental health benefits is not well established, but studies suggest that both fatty acids have distinct effects on the brain and may be beneficial for different aspects of mental health 6, 4.
- More research is needed to establish clear recommendations for the intake of EPA and DHA for mental health benefits, as well as to determine the optimal dosage and duration of treatment 2, 3, 4.