By the way, doctor: How much fish oil should I be taking?

Published: March, 2006

Q. What's the right daily dose of omega-3s? I have a bottle of 1,000-mg fish-oil pills. Is one a day enough to get the benefit?

A. The two main omega-3 fats found in fish are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Omega-3 fats, and perhaps especially EPA and DHA, have a variety of health benefits, but many people don't like the taste of fish or worry that it may contain toxins such as mercury. Fish-oil capsules are a way to get omega-3 fatty acids without having to eat fish. The capsules, while large and a bit hard to swallow, keep the fish oil well contained so you don't have to taste it, although some people still notice a fishy aftertaste.

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