Global Review Reveals Daily Omega-3 Requirements for Optimal DHA and EPA Intake - Video

Omega-3 fats aren't just good for your heart-they're essential from birth to old age. A sweeping new review in Nutrition Research Reviews has brought together national and international data to outline how much omega-3 we really need, uncovering huge differences in recommendations across the world. These crucial long-chain fats—EPA, DHA, and DPA—support brain, eye, and heart health, strengthen immunity, and may even cut the risk of preterm birth, depression, and cognitive decline.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n-3 PUFAs) are most commonly found in fatty fish like salmon and sardines, but many people consume far less than their bodies need. The researchers examined 42 technical and dietary guideline documents (TSDs) from around the globe using records from the Food and Agriculture Organization’s global dietary repository and structured Google searches. Their goal was to map out how each country and organization defines adequate intake across life stages—from infants to older adults.

About 71% of these TSDs provided specific daily targets, while others included health messages or safety thresholds. Roughly half covered general healthy populations, while others addressed children (10%), adults (14%), pregnant women (12%), and older adults (5%). For infants, recommendations ranged widely—from 200 mg/day of DHA in Korea to 0.32% of all dietary fats from DHA for babies up to six months old. Children aged four to twelve were advised anywhere between 55 mg and 500 mg/day of DHA + EPA, while teenagers were recommended 70 mg to 500 mg/day, depending on region.

For adults, 250 mg/day of DHA + EPA emerged as the most common benchmark, appearing in 18 national and international guidelines—including global authorities from Europe and the World Health Organization. During pregnancy, additional DHA is emphasized, often 100–200 mg/day above the adult recommendation, to support fetal brain and retinal development. Higher doses of up to 1 g/day were sometimes suggested for reducing preterm birth risk.

Interestingly, no clear upper limit was defined for infants, though most expert bodies capped adult intake between 2–5 g/day to avoid bleeding risks. Yet most populations worldwide still fall far short of even the minimum recommended levels.

The review concludes that achieving optimal omega-3 intake—through fish, fortified foods, or supplements—is vital for lifelong health, especially for populations with low seafood consumption. As the researchers note, consistent global guidelines and sustainable omega-3 sources will be key to closing this nutritional gap in the years ahead.

REFERENCE: Calder PC, Cawood AL, James C, Page F, Putnam S, Minihane AM (2025). An overview of national and international long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake recommendations for healthy populations. Nutrition Research Reviews, 1–12. DOI: 10.1017/S0954422425100279,