39 Post(s)Gender: MaleGoal: Gain MuscleDate Joined: November 11, 2017
Posted
Hey Scott,
Thank you for answering our questions.
I wonder how much Omega 3 (Fish oil) and Multi Vitamins should we consume every day ? Is it something related to the total daily calories intake? and is a high amount of DHA important in the Fish oil?
Thanks
2.6K Post(s)Gender: MaleGoal: BodybuildingDate Joined: October 10, 2013
Posted
DHA and EPA (Omega 3s from fish) dosage amounts have nothing to do with total daily calories or size of the individual. The most important factors for an Omega 3 supplement are the following:
1) Derived from cold water fish like cod or krill
2) Be free of high levels of mercury and POP (Persistent Organic Pollutants)
3) Have the ratio of EPA to DHA of 1.5:1
Both DHA and EPA are important together as they are synergistic. The ratio above is the optimal one. The good news is a quality Omega 3 fish oil supplement will meet all the above requirements. The bad news is it will be expensive. I would avoid all "cheap" fish oil pills as they use inferior sources full of environmental toxins and in the wrong ratios. If you don't want or can't eat oily fish to get Omega 3 naturally, do not skimp on the cost of an Omega 3 supplement. Just like protein powders, you get what you pay for.
One note of caution - sometimes the pills are large and could be hard to swallow. Also, they will cause some nasty "burps" with an odd fish taste occasionally.
As for multi-vitamins, there is no correlation with amount taken with total daily calories. Again, buy a quality multi-vitamin and follow recommended doses on the label. One note of advice: vitamin pills are best used to supplement your diet not replace missing vitamins and minerals from a poor diet. Multi-vitamins are still made of synthetic vitamins which are not as readily absorbed or as good a quality as getting vitamins from real food. However, they can provide a "safety net" in a meal plan to ensure your are not low on any key micronutrients.
John
34 years of lifting and nutritional experience and resident "old man" :-)
MS Athlete and past Super Hermanite since 2013.
39 Post(s)Gender: MaleGoal: Gain MuscleDate Joined: November 11, 2017