[DigitalToday AI Reporter] Koreans rank among the world’s highest for omega-3 levels in the body, but 7 in 10 are suffering from deficiencies in key components, it showed. Overall levels stay high through intake of various plant oils, but intake of "EPA" and "DHA," which deliver practical health effects, falls short of even minimum recommended amounts. Critics say this leaves people with only a partial nutritional intake.

Kim Seok-jin (김석진), head of Good Bacteria Research Institute, recently highlighted in a video the state of omega-3 intake among Koreans and its close relationship with gut microorganisms.

According to Kim, omega-3 fatty acids are broadly divided into EPA and DHA derived from marine organisms and ALA, which is abundant in plant oils. EPA and DHA are what play practical roles in the body, including protecting brain cells, controlling inflammation and protecting cardiovascular health. Koreans traditionally consume large amounts of plant oils rich in ALA, such as perilla oil and soybean oil, which helps keep overall omega-3 levels high. However, the conversion rate of ALA into EPA and DHA in the body is only 5 to 10 percent and 1 to 5 percent, respectively. Plant-based omega-3 alone is far from enough to meet the body’s needs for EPA and DHA.

The recommended daily intake of EPA and DHA for healthy adults is at least 500 mg, but the average intake among Koreans is about 280 mg, roughly half that level. The deficiency is becoming more serious among people in their teens and 20s due to dietary changes in which meat consumption rises and seafood intake falls.

A lack of omega-3 harms not only vascular and brain health but also "gut health." A study published in 2025 in the international academic journal Nutrition found that sufficient intake of EPA and DHA sharply increases beneficial gut bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Short-chain fatty acids produced by these beneficial bacteria protect the intestinal mucosa and reduce systemic inflammation. By contrast, people with a healthy gut environment have much higher absorption and utilisation even when consuming the same amount of omega-3.

Kim said omega-3 and gut bacteria form a virtuous cycle in which they help each other. He stressed that, rather than relying simply on specific supplements, frequently putting oily fish such as mackerel and saury on the table and keeping the gut environment healthy is the most practical way to protect both omega-3 and gut bacteria.