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EPA acid: what it is, where it occurs, effects + expert opinion
EPA is one of the healthy omega-3 fatty acids; learn about its properties and tasty sources.
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.Omega-3 fatty acids are the most important healthy fats your body needs to function properly. One of them, EPA, stands out for its huge impact on regulating inflammation in the body.
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) - read it out loud, the sooner, the funnier - you need to supply it with your diet and catch that moment when you don't have enough.
From this article you will learn:
- What EPA acid is. .
- How it affects your health. .
- Where does EPA acid occur.
- How it affects your health.
- What are the symptoms of deficiency and excess.
- How does it affect your health?
See also:
.- Omega acids .
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Omega-6 fatty acids
- Omega-9 fatty acids
- DHA acid .
- ALA acid .
- Omega-3 triglycerides .
- Alpha-3 omega-3 fatty acids
- Guide: which omega-3 acids to choose? .
Omega-3 fatty acids
.Let's start from the general to the specific.
.Omega-3 fatty acids (abbreviated n-3 or ω-3) are so-called healthy fats. They belong to a group of unsaturated fatty acids that support many important systems and processes in the bodyand.
.The three main types of these valuable fats are: ALA, DHA and the eponymous EPAand. The body cannot make omega-3 fatty acids on its own and you must supply them from your diet. The best sources of these compounds are oily marine fish.
Omeega-3 fatty acids exhibit many health-promoting properties and have great potential in supporting the treatment and prevention of the onset of certain diseasesand. Their proper concentration in the body supports your physical health, mental health and even your appearanceand.
ALA, DHA and EPA work together for your health and well-being, but separately they also have their own missions. Find out about the special tasks of EPA acid.
Eicosolic acid action and properties
.Eicosapentaenoic acid supports the function of systemsand:
- neural, .
- cardiovascular, .
- musculoskeletal, .
- immune, .
- hormonal, .
How does EPA acid work?
.Anti-inflammatory effect
.EPA acid produces eicosanoids - chemical compounds that help reduce inflammation in the body.
Eicosanoids influence cardiovascular health, and calm inflammation in autoimmune diseases.
EPA in synergy with DHA exhibit anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, which may reduce the risk of infection and shorten its durationand.
Regulates lipid metabolism
.EPA helps to reduce the concentration of triglycerides (one type of fat) in the blood. This is because it affects the enzymes that process lipids and thicken the bloodand.
This acid lowers total cholesterol and LDL 'bad cholesterol'. It also reduces lipids (fats) and their accumulation in the liver . It has a potential protective effect against cholesterol accumulationand.
EPA can reduce triglycerides without simultaneously raising LDL cholesterol levels in patients with very high triglyceride levels.
Interestingly, preparations with DHA or an omega-3 blend did not show this effectand.
Protects the cardiovascular system
.EPA regulates blood pressure. It exhibits vasodilator properties, which helps to reduce vascular resistance and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as heart attackand.
.One study from 2007 involved seniors over the age of 65. They were residents of the Mediterranean islands - a region where consumption of oily fish is high. The results showed that eating 300g of fish per week was associated with significantly lower: blood pressure, lipid profile and blood glucoseand.
Next time for Grandma and Grandpa's Day, instead of handing out chocolates, take them out for a fishy feast at the pub.
Influences on mental health
.A review of studies has shown that taking EPA or fish oil containing at least 60% EPA orally reduces symptoms of depression in some people. Its effects are most effective when combined with antidepressantsand.
The concentration of EPA in the brain is 250-300 times lower than that of DHAand. Despite this, EPA acid is also important for your health and psyche. A 2019 meta-analysis found that it is EPA that has the greatest effect on reducing symptoms of depression of all omega-3 fatty acids .
.Promotes the appearance and condition of the skin
.EPA acid is a good friend to your skin. It has a huge impact on what condition it is in and how it looks. EPA acidand:
- prevents keratinisation of the skin, .
- protects the skin from premature ageing, .
- reduces the risk of acne, .
- may contribute to the formation of a robust skin lipid barrier, .
- may reduce skin inflammation, .
In one 2003 study, participants who consumed 4 grams of EPA for 3 months increased their resistance to sunburn by 136%, while no significant changes were observed in the placebo groupand.
Of course, don't forget about UV filter creams, but think about skin health and take omega-3 acids with you on holiday or remember to have a portion of fish on holiday.
EPA acid - where does it occur?
.The best sources of EPA acid areand:
- fatty fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines and herring, .
- shrimp, mussels and oysters, .
- sea algae, phytoplankton, unicellular algae, .
- products enriched with omega-3 fatty acids, e.g. drinks, yoghurts, .
A good source of EPA acid is also provided by high-quality dietary supplements with omega-3 acids.
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Daily requirements
.Your need for eicosapentaenoic acid is related to supplying it together with DHA. The two fatty acids work together and complement each other - cut into the double.
.
Ingredient . |
Recommended intake for age group . |
Eicosapentaenoic acid + Docosahexaenoic acid (EPA + DHA) . |
7-24 months: DHA 100 mg/day only .2-18 years: EPA+DHA 250 mg/day >18 years: EPA + DHA 250 mg/day |
EPA acid in pregnancy and during breastfeeding
.Omeega-3 fatty acids are crucial for the normal course of pregnancy and the health of mum and foetus. If you are expecting a baby, take a daily intake of 250 mg of DHA + EPA and an additional 100-200 mg of DHA.
You certainly want the best for you and your baby, so when choosing a product, choose dietary supplements with omega-3 fatty acids.
.You can read about why you should be careful in the article about omega 3-6-9.
While breastfeeding, also take care to eat a nutritious diet or supplementation. Recommendations are to consume 1-2 servings of fish per week or supplementation with 250 mg of EPA and DHA and 100-200 mg of DHA alone/day.
See also:
.EPA to DHA ratio
.The ratio of omega-3 fatty acids to omega-6 fatty acids is most important and ranges from 1:1 to 1:4and. In the modern diet it's unfortunately 1:14, which means your menu should include much more oily marine fish or omega-3 supplements (well, and less processed food, salty snacks and sweets).
And what about that EPA vs DHA?
.EPA and DHA are present in different proportions in food. E.g. in Norwegian salmon the ratio is approximately 1:2 and in standard fish oil it is 3:2and. In dietary supplements, the ratio is usually 1:1-3:1.
Researchers attempted to determine the ideal ratio of EPA to DHA in a 2021 meta-analysis. The conclusions were that there is no relationship between the ratio of EPA to DHA and lipid profile and heart rate.
But
But - the higher the EPA to DHA ratio, the greater the reduction in inflammation in the bodyand. However, there is no specific indication. Bottom line - simply ensure an adequate supply of omega-3.
.EPA deficiency
.Of all omega acids, the most common is deficiency of omega-3 acids, including EPAand. There is no culture of eating fish in Poland, and you supply the other fatty acids from your diet - unfortunately often in excessand.
The omega-3 acids and omega-6 are in a fierce battle for a place in your body. Unfortunately, omega-3s are losing out, crushed by unhealthy sources of omega-6s. We are much more likely to reach for processed foods, unhealthy snacks and sweets than for oily fish. This can lead to too few healthy fats in the body.
Symptoms of EPA deficiency include and:
- dryness and irritation of the skin, .
- acne and skin deterioration, .
- skin keratosis, .
- joint pain and stiffness, .
- hair loss, .
- lower mood and anxiety, .
Can you be EPA deficient with normal DHA levels? Nutritionist Aleksandra Cudna explains:
DHA deficiency.
EPA and DHA acids are contained in fish and dietary supplements in similar amounts, so it is not possible for a single deficiency of either acid to occur.
Additionally, the body can convert EPA to DHA. Admittedly, this conversion is not very efficient, but it does exist. The two acids therefore go hand in hand, and if a deficiency is revealed - it is usually a deficiency of both EPA and DHA.
DHA and EPA are both in short supply.
DHA supplementation raises EPA concentrations, but EPA supplementation ... does not raise DHA.
One study found that taking EPA alone increased its concentration in the blood, but did not increase DHAand.
Excess EPA
.Luckily, excess EPA is rare - it is impossible to overdose on omega-3 fatty acids from food. You would have to eat 2.5kg of salmon a day. I'm a fan of this fish, but even I can't squeeze that much in!"
If you overdo it with supplements, however, or by some miracle are a really big fan of salmon, you may experience unpleasant symptoms.
Excess EPA acid and:
- reduces blood clotting, .
- causes nosebleeds, .
- increases blood sugar levels, .
- dangerously lowers blood pressure, .
- increases insomnia, .
- causes gastrointestinal disorders such as reflux, diarrhea, bloating, belching, nausea, .
See also:
- Omega-3 for athletes .
- Recommended omega-3 supplements
- Omega-3 tablets - ranking .
- Omega-3 fatty acid deficiency
Summary
.In summary
- EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) is one of the omega-3 fatty acids.
- EPA has an anti-inflammatory effect.
- EPA has an anti-inflammatory effect, contributes to cardiovascular health, skin condition and proper lipid management.
- EPA has an anti-inflammatory effect, contributes to cardiovascular health, skin condition and proper lipid management.
- An adequate concentration of EPA acid has a positive effect on mood and mental health. .
- EPA acid is not produced by the body and you must provide it with your diet. .
- The best sources of EPA are fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines. .
- EPA deficiency manifests as skin deterioration, joint pain and stiffness, hair loss and lowered mood. .
- Excess EPA manifests itself in blood clotting disorders, nose bleeds and gastrointestinal complaints. .
- You should consume 250 mg of EPA+DHA acids per day - that's 1 or 2 servings of fish per week.
FAQ
.Which omega acids are the healthiest?
.All omega acids are important and we should provide them from a nutritious diet. However, the omega-3 acids - DHA and EPA - have the most health-promoting properties. They comprehensively affect the functioning of many systems in the body. Their source is primarily oily marine fish.
Omega-6 acids and omega-9 are also crucial to health, but they are more easily obtained from food and deficiency is not as common as with omega-3 acids.
What is EPA?
.EPA stands for eicosapentaenoic acid. It is a type of healthy omega-3 fatty acid that is found in certain types of fish such as tuna, salmon, mackerel and sardines.
EPA acid has many health-promoting benefits and has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. It can also be obtained from high-quality dietary supplements.
What is the difference between EPA and DHA?
.Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA (docosahexaenoic) are the two most important types of omega-3 fatty acids. They differ in functionality and chemical structure. EPA acid is more likely to be converted into chemical components that help reduce inflammation in the body.
DHA acid plays an important role in the structure of brain cells, the retina and the effects on the nervous, cardiovascular, motor and immune systems.
Is EPA and DHA an omega-3?
.Yes, EPA and DHA are types of omega-3 fatty acids. They are called long-chain omega-3 fatty acids because they contain more than 12 carbon atoms. Other omega-3 fatty acids include alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and stearidonic acid (SDA).
What is more important - DHA or EPA?
.Both the fatty acids DHA and EPA are important for the proper functioning of the body. Each has its own roles in maintaining health, e.g. DHA is particularly important for brain and eye development in babies and children, and EPA is associated with reducing inflammation in the body.
Where is EPA acid?
.EPA acid is mainly found in marine food sources such as oily fish e.g. salmon, tuna, sardines and mackerel. It can also be found in some marine algae. High-quality dietary supplements with omega-3 acids are also a good source of EPA acid.
Is EPA acid harmful?
.EPA acid is usually considered safe to consume according to doses recommended by health organisations. However, people with haemorrhagic diathesis or seafood allergies should consult a specialist before starting EPA acid supplementation. There are also some drug interactions that should be discussed with your doctor.
Sources
See all
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.Editorials
Meet the teamJan 13
Omega-3 fatty acids are a useful dietary supplement for active people - improves performance and fitness.
Dec 15
Omega-3 in a good dose and an optimum ratio of DHA and EPA acids will replenish valuable fats in the diet.
Dec 14
The omega-3 acids from Natu.Care are distinguished by their triglyceride form, which is characterised by high bioavailability.