EPA as well as DHA are both very important substances for people and getting a normal dose on a daily basis can be a great idea. Let’s start with what the heck are EPA and DHA. If you are scratching your head and wondering why I’m talking geek speak, well they are both fatty acids. Also they are both omega threes which are part of the good fats and these are unsaturated. You can usually get these fats from olive oil, peanut oil, advocates and certain types of fish like salmon.
The bad type of fat is the saturated kinds. However it’s important to know that it’s not concrete saturated fat is bad and sure some people think that it is, but there still can be a chance that it could be good for you. Trans-fats on the other hand are clearly bad.
These fats can increase LDL cholesterol which can raise the chance of heart disease as well as weaken cell structure causing damage. Ok, so we know that EPA and DHA are both omega3 fatty acids now let’s talk about what makes them different. There are two things that make them distinctly different. For starters DHA is considered to be healthier than its close brother EPA.
Do you know which fatty acid is found in more abundant quantities in the eyes, brain and nerves? That’s right it’s DHA. Also this fatty acid has been linked to cognitive health while EPA has been found to be more effective mood levels. EPA is still healthy for people and they both can do some amazing things together such as decrease inflammation, help blood flow, give antioxidants and help someone’s brain.
The next big difference is how they are structured. DHA has 22 carbon bonds while EPA has 20. What this means is that it’s easier for the human body to convert DHA into some other type of fatty acid and absorb it.
Now the million dollar question is exactly how much EPA and DHA should I consume on a daily basis? I would love to give you a solid number however as we all know life is not always so simple. There is a range than can help people and different influences can all change this number as well as different organization recommend different amounts.
If someone is pregnant or nursing many medical professional recommend need at least 220 MG in a day of EPA. Health experts recommend at least 300 MG in a 24 hr day when it comes to DHA. Also this number applies to growing children as well. If you are a normal adult somewhere around the 500 MG a day range is a good place to be around.
When considering various clinical studies on the great stuff that fish oil can do they are in the 1000 MG level. Of course it’s good to start smaller so someone knows that their body can handle this dosage. If someone has some major health problems than as high as 4,000 MG in a day could be recommended and this would be best under a doctor’s care.
Like many things there are a variety of ways someone can get EPA as well as DHA. One of the most popular methods is with consuming fish oil. A good fish oil brand can provide some significant advantages while a poor one can even cause harm. So the big question is how can someone choose a good brand while avoiding one that is poor?
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