A comprehensive systematic review of international nutrition guidelines has uncovered a striking public health gap: approximately 76% of the global population fails to achieve the minimum recommended intake of 250 mg daily combined EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids. This shortfall is not a matter of fine-tuning nutrient intake for optimal health—it represents a failure to reach the baseline threshold where cardiovascular protection becomes measurable and consistent across large population studies.
The 250 mg target has been established by major health authorities including the FAO, WHO, and the European Food Safety Authority as the minimum dose associated with reduced risk of fatal coronary heart disease and sudden cardiac death. Food-based strategies alone often prove insufficient due to low oily fish consumption, cultural dietary patterns, and geographic constraints. For most populations, supplementation or fortified food products have become a practical necessity to bridge this critical nutrient gap.
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