What is EPA, Anyway?
You may be wondering just what it is about EPA that makes it so special. Here I’ll do my best to explain:
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) is a major component of fish oil. A long-chain Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, EPA contains 20 carbons and 5 double bonds. EPA is also known as EPA; C20: 5n-3 and cis-5, 8, 11, 14,17-eicosapentaenoic acid. (For a very technical look at this Omega-3 fatty acid, see the Lipomics Technologies site.)
Explains Dr. Philip Rouchotas of the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine,
EPA produces anti-inflammatory eicosanoids, most notably prostaglandin E2. Research has confirmed that when the body is given EPA from fish oil, the levels of inflammatory mediators decrease resulting in improvements in rheumatoid arthritis, depression and cardiovascular disease, as well as many other inflammation-mediated disorders. Further support for the action of omega-3 fatty acids on inflammatory conditions comes from new research released in March 2005. A new class of bioactive lipids called resolvins has been discovered. These metabolic products of EPA significant anti-inflammatory and protective properties. Researchers have confirmed that resolvins inhibit the migration of inflammatory cells to sites of inflammation and the turning on of other inflammatory cells. This is clear evidence to explain why fish oil has the anti-inflammatory effects that it does.
Dr. Andrew Stoll, famed Harvard Researcher and Psychaitrist, diagrams the anti-inflammatory impact of EPA in his book, The Omega-3 Connection
| Omega-6 Arachidonic acid (AA) |
Omega-3 Eicosapentatonic acid (EPA) |
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 |
 |
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| Omega-6 Derived eicosanoids |
{ |
Prostaglandins Leukotrienes Thromboxanes |
Prostaglandins Leukotrienes Thromboxanes |
} |
Omega-3 Derived eicosanoids |
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| increased risk increased risk increased more higher higher worse more more less less |
sudden cardiac death coronary artery disease platelet aggregation vasoconstriction blood pressure triglycerides rheumatoid arthritis pain inflammation major depression mood elevation mood stabilization |
decreased risk decreased risk decreased less lower lower improved less less more more |
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In 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a qualified health claim on Omega-3 fatty acids, more specifically DHA (docosahexanoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid.) They further recommend up to 3 grams per day from food or 2 grams a day from dietary supplements, though successful studies have used far more in a safe and effective manner.
Says Stoll on page 209 of The Omega-3 Connection
If you are using omega-3 fatty acids for health, mood, or cognitive enhancement, 1 to 2 grams (1000-2000 milligrams) daily of total omega-3 fatty acids (EPA plus DHA) is probably adequate. If you’re using them for mood elevation or stabilization, a higher amount is sometimes required. Ourbipolar disorder study…used 9.6 grams of omega-3 fatty acids per day (6.2 grams EPA and 3.4 grams DHA). Clinically, usually 2 to 3 grams of omega-3per day is adequate.”
Stoll further states:
With the emerging data on EPA, I have begun to use the EPA content alone to calculate dosage requirements. Generally 1.5 to 4 grams of EPA is adequateto improve mood in patients with mood disorders. I have no experience using dosages exceeding 8 grams per day, but higher levels seem to be safe, since the traditional Greenland Eskimo diet consisted of up to 14 grams per day.” Ω