That fish oil you grabbed because it said “1000mg” on the front? There’s a good chance you did not buy 1000mg of omega-3 at all, and that one misunderstanding explains why so many people “take omega-3” for years and never see a measurable change.
We’re joined by performance dietitian Eliza Freney for a straight-talking omega-3 deep dive, from the basics (ALA vs EPA vs DHA) through to what omega-3 actually does inside the body. We get into anti-inflammatory and pro-resolving actions, why DHA shows up heavily in the brain and eyes, and why the newest research is looking at recovery, DOMS, and even concussion and subconcussive impacts in contact sport. If you care about training output, muscle soreness, cognition, or long-term heart health, this is the rare supplement chat that stays anchored in evidence.
The practical centrepiece is the omega-3 index: a blood test that measures how much EPA and DHA is in your red blood cell membranes, and why 8% is considered the “golden” benchmark for cardiovascular protection like lower triglycerides and a lower resting heart rate. Eliza shares what athlete cohorts reveal (spoiler: most are still under target), why supplement access creates massive gaps, and how a simple education intervention can move the needle.
We also make omega-3 actionable: how to read supplement labels without getting played, why dose matters, how long it takes to “fill the cup”, when you can drop to maintenance, the SMASH fish list (sardines, mackerel, anchovies, salmon, herring), tuna processing nuances, sustainability concerns, and why vegans may want algal omega-3. If you want clarity you can use this week, hit play, then subscribe, share the episode with a mate, and leave us a review so more people stop guessing and start measuring.