Omega-3 Fish Oil 1G Capsules: A Guide to Safe & Effective Purchase

Omega-3 is a popular health product that is usually sold in the form of fish oil capsules. Start your search by calling your local health food store and talking to your health professional.

Talk to Your Health Care Practitioner

• Before purchasing your Omega-3 fish oil, talk to your health care practitioner and confirm that 1 gram (or 1000 milligrams) of the substance is what you should be taking. Be prepared to tell your health care practitioner why you are interested in taking the substance and ask them to recommend a brand of supplement, if possible.

Call Your Local Health Food Store

• Call your local health food store and ask if they carry 1 gram capsules of Omega-3 fish oil. Although it may also be possible to find the product online, many health food stores have informed staff available that can answer any further questions you may have. For example, you may want to ask staff the size of the capsule in the bottle, so you will know if you will be able to swallow it.

American Heart Association Recommendations

• DHA and EPA are omega-3s primarily sourced from fish, and ALA from sources such as walnuts, flaxseed, and canola and soybean oils. The American Heart Association (AHA) says patients should not take more than 3 g daily of an omega-3 supplement except when under the supervision of a physician, because of the risk of excessive bleeding. For those with documented coronary heart disease, the the AHA recommendation is 1 gram of DHA + EPA daily, preferably through food sources but also in capsule form under the supervision of a physician. For those who need to lower triglycerides, the recommendation is 2 to 4 g daily in capsule form, under the supervision of a physician.