A.The omega-3 content of salmon varies by type, but generally a three-ounce portion contains 1,000-1,725 milligrams of these heart-healthy fats. The American Heart Association and other experts recommend eating fish, especially varieties like salmon high in omega-3s, at least twice a week. To obtain a similar amount (2,000-3,450 milligrams) from fish-oil pills, you might take as few as two or as many as 40 supplements, depending on the amount per pill, which ranges widely. But the jury is out as to whether fish oil from pills is as effective as from consuming fish-and youll miss out on the other health benefits of eating fish.
Alice H. Lichtenstein, DSc, director of Tufts HNRCA Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory, cautions, Current recommendations are to eat fish for primary prevention and only take fish-oil capsules for secondary prevention (with some recent data not supporting that).
Some people who dont like other fish nonetheless enjoy canned tuna, a versatile and inexpensive source of omega-3s.