Are there any official recommendations for omega-3 fatty acid intakes?
Since 1990 in Canada and 2002 in the United States, a specific recommendation for minimal intakes of omega-3 fatty acid as alpha-linolenic acid (LNA) from plant food sources (eg., canola oil, flaxseed, English walnuts, others) has existed with a recommended intake of 0.6% of total daily energy as LNA. This translates into approximately 1500 mg per day for an adults consuming 2300 kcal daily. In 2002, the Food and Nutrition Board (Institute of Medicine) in the U.S. advised that up to 10% of the total omega-3 as LNA may be consumed as DHA/EPA. In the aforementioned case, this would amount to a suggested intake of DHA/EPA of approximately 150 mg/day (as an optional but not mandatory intake). In contrast, other countries have specific minimal recommended intakes for DHA/EPA omega-3 fatty acids in addition to recommended intakes of LNA omega-3. For example, Australia and New Zealand have recommended (as acceptable intakes) 160 and 90 mg/day of DHA/EPA (combined) for adult men and women, res
