QA

In Norway we have a general recommendation that 1% of the energy intake should come from Omega-3 fatty acids. However, this applies to the total amount of Omega-3, and includes both short-chained Omega-3 from plants and long-chained Omega-3 from marine fat.

It is also recommended that you consume cod liver oil daily and eat fish (and preferably oily fish) 2-3 times per week. If you follow these recommendations, you will consume enough of the long-chained Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.

Cod liver oil is rich on these fatty acids, and one small tablespoon (recommended daily amount of cod liver oil) provides enough EPA and DHA for about 2 days (and Vitamin D for 1 day). Different types of fish contain very different amounts of fat. The most usual oily fish types (fish with a fat content of over 8 mg per 100 grams fish fillet) are all types of salmon and trout, halibut, mackerel, herring and eel. Fish-spreads usually also consist of oily fish.

Those who eat oily fish 1-2 times per week will consume enough EPA and DHA from this source. Leaner fish types, like cod and coalfish, contain very little fat and do not provide a significant amount of EPA and DHA.

If you do not consume cod liver oil or any other Omega-3 supplements and seldom eat oily fish (less than 1 dinner portion per week), you have a lower intake of EPA and DHA than recommended. This applies to almost half of the Norwegian population^1,2.

 

 

 

 

 

_{1  Johansson, EurJClinNutr (1998) 52; 716-721}

_{2  Report from Vitenskapskommiteen for mattrygghet (2006): Helhetssyn på fisk og annen sjømat (www.vkm.no)}