Overview
- The peer-reviewed analysis, led by researchers at the University of East Anglia and the University of Southampton with Holland & Barrett, compiles national and international recommendations across all life stages.
- The most common benchmark is 250 mg per day of combined EPA and DHA for adults, with an additional 100–200 mg of DHA recommended during pregnancy.
- The review concludes that diet alone often does not achieve these levels, particularly for pregnant women and people who eat little or no fish, making supplementation frequently necessary.
- National guidance varies widely, creating confusion and a mismatch between evidence, official advice and population intakes, which the authors say should be addressed through clearer, harmonized policies.
- Health links cited include lower risk of preterm birth, support for infant visual and cognitive development, cardiovascular and immune benefits, and associations with reduced depression and cognitive decline; practical barriers include low seafood intake, sustainability concerns and limited access to supplementation advice.