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Fatty acid

Eicosapentaenoic Acid

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid found mainly in fatty fish. The body uses it to make signaling molecules involved in inflammation.

Also listed as EPA, EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid)

Immune SupportCardiovascularHair & SkinBone & JointFertility

Can EPA reduce cardiovascular events?

The EMA assessment describes more than 8,000 statin-treated patients with raised triglycerides and cardiovascular disease or high risk. Events occurred in 17% receiving icosapent ethyl versus 22% with placebo. That finding does not establish the same benefit for an ordinary fish-oil capsule in a healthy person. 1

Which blood fats change?

Six studies compared purified EPA and DHA above 2 g/day. Both lowered triglycerides; EPA largely left total cholesterol unchanged. DHA lowered triglycerides more but raised LDL cholesterol. 2

Cholesterol balanceMixed

The clearest EPA effect was on triglycerides, not a general reduction in cholesterol. 2

What about blood pressure?

A meta-analysis of 20 randomized trials examining EPA and DHA separately found an average systolic reduction of 2.6 mmHg with EPA. The authors called for larger trials to confirm the findings. This is a blood-pressure measurement, not proof of fewer clinical events. 3

Blood pressureMixed

EPA produced a modest systolic reduction in the pooled trials; applicability and precision remain limited. 3

Is EPA a proven depression treatment?

A 2021 Cochrane review found low- or very-low-certainty evidence for omega-3s in major depression. The average symptom benefit was small to modest and unlikely to be clinically meaningful. Because products differed, the pooled result is not a clean estimate for EPA alone. 4

What lies behind the inflammation hypothesis?

The same review found lower C-reactive protein, an inflammation marker, but few trials examined other signaling proteins. Marker changes do not establish relief of inflammatory disease. 3

Which claims are outside this review?

This page does not assess EPA for skin inflammation, joint comfort, immune support, fertility, mental speed or everyday energy.

Effects by health goal

Open an effect to see the studies behind its rating. Bars show the size of the effect; the letter grades the evidence.

Hair & Skin1 effect

Skin InflammationHair & SkinModerateBNo linked study

No study is linked to this rating.

Rated by SuppCo · medium confidenceEvidence record

Other effects1 effect

InflammationModerateA3 studies
EPA and DHA differentially modulate monocyte inflammatory response in subjects with chronic inflammation in part via plasma specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators: A randomized, double-blind, crossover study.2020Effect of Eicosapentaenoic Acid on Body Composition and Inflammation Markers in Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer from a Public Hospital in Mexico2018Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids as inflammation-modulating and lipid homeostasis influencing nutraceuticals: A review2012

Rated by SuppCo · high confidenceEvidence record

All studies

20 publications are linked to Eicosapentaenoic Acid, newest first.

Effect of omega-3 supplements or diets on fertility in women: A meta-analysis2024Association between eicosapentaenoic acid consumption and the risk of depressive symptoms in US adults: Analyses from NHANES 2005-2018.2024N-3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, Eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic Acid, and the Role of Supplementation during Cancer Treatment: A Scoping Review of Current Clinical Evidence2021Effects of dietary eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid supplementation on metabolic syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of data from 33 randomized controlled trials.2021EPA and DHA differentially modulate monocyte inflammatory response in subjects with chronic inflammation in part via plasma specialized pro-resolving lipid mediators: A randomized, double-blind, crossover study.2020Efficacy of n-3 fatty acids supplementation on the prevention of pregnancy induced-hypertension or preeclampsia: A systematic review and meta-analysis.2020Brain eicosapentaenoic acid metabolism as a lead for novel therapeutics in major depression2020Omega-3 and its domain-specific effects on cognitive test performance in youths: A meta-analysis2020Effects of EPA and DHA on blood pressure and inflammatory factors: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials2019The efficacy and safety of nutrient supplements in the treatment of mental disorders: a meta‐review of meta‐analyses of randomized controlled trials2019The Differential Effects of Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Systematic Review2018Effect of Eicosapentaenoic Acid on Body Composition and Inflammation Markers in Patients with Head and Neck Squamous Cell Cancer from a Public Hospital in Mexico2018The effect of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids on physical function, exercise, and joint replacement in patients with coronary artery disease: A secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial.2018An 18-mo randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of DHA-rich fish oil to prevent age-related cognitive decline in cognitively normal older adults.2018Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on cardiovascular disease risk factors: a randomized clinical trial.2016Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid and Blood Pressure: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials2014Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids as inflammation-modulating and lipid homeostasis influencing nutraceuticals: A review2012Influence of low-dose polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation on the inflammatory response of healthy adults.2007Dose-related effects of eicosapentaenoic acid on innate immune function in healthy humans: a comparison of young and older men.2006Effects of fish oil supplementation in rheumatoid arthritis.1990

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