Q: I'm taking two teaspoons of "Carlson" fish oil every day, and it says that each teaspoon is 1600 mg of total omega-3s. Do we need go by these total omega-3s or the total of just the EPA and DHA for our optimal daily amounts? For example, total EPA from two teaspoons is 1600mg, total DHA from two teaspoons is 1000mg, and total omega-3s in two teaspoons is 3200mg.
Second, I read that too much fish oil may decreases testosterone production in men. Is this true, and how much would be considered too much? I'm a pretty healthy 41-year-old just for the record.
Thank you very much, Brian
Dear Brian,
A: You should only be concerned by the total amount of EPA and DHA. You are getting about 2.6 grams of EPA and DHA per day, which I consider a minimum dose. There is no indication that such a dose would have any effect on testosterone levels. Most of the Olympic athletes I work with take much higher doses.