Omega-3 supplements: A new analysis suggests that more than three-quarters of the world’s population is not getting enough omega-3 fatty acids, highlighting what researchers describe as a major gap in global nutrition.
Omega-3 fats, particularly the long-chain types found in oily fish such as salmon, as well as in flaxseeds and chia seeds, are known to support heart, brain and overall health. The review, published in Nutrition Research Reviews, found that most people worldwide are falling short of recommended intakes of key omega-3s, including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
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“The health benefits of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, specifically EPA and DHA, are too important to ignore,” said lead author Abbie Cawood, science director at Holland & Barrett and visiting research fellow at the University of Southampton in the UK. She noted that supplements are often needed to meet recommended levels, especially during pregnancy and in people who eat little or no fish.
The researchers examined data from the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s global online repository and reviewed 42 technical and scientific documents setting out national and international dietary guidelines. They found that recommendations varied widely between countries, adding to confusion and underscoring the need for clearer, evidence-based guidance.
The most commonly cited targets for adults were around 250 milligrams per day of EPA plus DHA, with an additional 100–200 milligrams of DHA per day advised during pregnancy. However, in most countries with available data, average intakes of long-chain omega-3s fell short of these benchmarks.
The authors argue that this shortfall points to an urgent need for more accessible and sustainable sources of EPA and DHA, such as enriched foods and supplements, to help raise intake across the population. They also called out a mismatch between current scientific evidence, public health advice and what people actually consume, and said updated guidance should cover all life stages rather than focusing only on pregnancy or older age.