Think You're Eating Enough Fish? Don't Be So Sure + What To Do About It

Even if you can't rattle what "EPA" and "DHA" stand for off the top of your head (it's "eicosapentaenoic acid" and "docosahexaenoic acid," by the way), you know that these omega-3s are good for you.

In fact, these fatty acids are so important that they're found in cell membranes1 throughout the entire body—and the depth of research on their cardiovascular health benefits2 is so robust that comprehensive reviews and meta-analyses exist to compile numerous epidemiologic and clinical trial studies.

Furthermore, the FDA has approved a qualified health claim3 (which is a big deal) about the roles of EPA and DHA in blood pressure and heart health. (This basically means that though the science on omega-3s and cardiovascular well-being is still growing, it is supportive and robust enough to deserve a special statement linking EPA and DHA to blood pressure.)*

And though cardiovascular function and wellness remain these omega-3s' biggest claim to fame, the powerful fats have also been studied for a variety of other health areas, ranging from healthy pregnancy and development of the eyes and brain4 to immune function5 and joint health6.*

Do you associate the omega-3s EPA and DHA with slabs of salmon and golden fish oil gelcaps? That's because although they get their omega-3s by eating algae, fish (i.e., key species of fish) are the best sources of EPA and DHA humans can eat.

Which is exactly why the American Heart Association's Strategic Impact Goal Through 2020 and Beyond recommends adults eat at least two 3.5-ounce servings of fish (and preferably oily fish, like salmon) per week.

The issue, though, is that most people just don't get those two servings per week in—or even come close. While, based on these recommendations, American adults should log between 7 and 8 ounces of fish per week, the average intake is really just about 0.6 ounces per day8, which comes out to about 4 total ounces per week. In fact, that statistic reflects all types of fish. When you consider fish that are actually rich in omega-3s, Americans are only consuming 0.15 ounce per day, or 1 ounce weekly.

When it comes to EPA and DHA specifically, most American adults are only eating 86 milligrams8 on average each day—pretty far off from that recommended range of 250 to 500 milligrams. A little quick math reveals we need to up our daily EPA and DHA intake by three to six times. Talk about a nutrient gap!

The fix the Dietary Guidelines for Americans and American Heart Association suggest here is simple: Eat two fish-forward meals per week.

Of course, though, there are plenty of reasons people just don't make this happen, whether it's a vegan or vegetarian eating pattern that doesn't involve fish, or lack of access to affordable quality seafood. Heck, maybe you just don't like the stuff! (Don't beat yourself up about it; if there's anything the data makes clear, it's that you're not the only one falling short in the fish and EPA+DHA departments.)

Despite well-established recommendations, most Americans don't eat nearly enough fish to get the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, both of which play a variety of important roles in our health. (Try these delicious and simple pescatarian recipes to make getting in those two weekly servings easier.)