Treating Inflammation with EPA

Author Name: Roxanne Kohne

EPA: a polyunsaturated fatty acid that acts as a metabolic precursor to important lipids (fats) known as prostaglandins. Prostaglandins control vital processes such as inflammation, blood flow, and blood clot formation. They are found in cold water fatty fish and seafood including salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, shellfish, and herring.

Health Benefits:

Lowers CVD Risk:

• EPA supplementation can help lower several important cardiovascular risk factors including arterial calcification, high blood pressure, and elevated triglycerides
• Helps prevent the buildup of calcium deposits in arteries
• Decreases systolic blood pressure as much as 8.7%
• Most beneficial for its ability to lower triglycerides
• Can improve blood vessel function, especially their capacities for relaxation and flexibility

Reduces Symptoms of Depression:

• EPA appears to be the most beneficial for depression and anxiety as studies have shown it to be at least 60% more effective than DHA in reducing symptoms of primary depression
• A deficiency in EPA can increase the likeliness of depression symptoms
• Helpful for the 3 different types of depression: recurrent major depression in adults, major depression in children, and bipolar depression
• Studies have shown that people with major depression have elevated levels of inflammation

Eases Menopause Symptoms:

• Depression-suppressing properties may help women with low moods that can happen during menopause
• Most beneficial for its effects on reducing the frequency of hot flashes
• May help reduce symptoms like hot flashes by halving the frequency with the right dosage
• Helps ease psychological distress and depressive symptoms often suffered by menopausal and perimenopausal women

Slows Progression of RA:

• EPA when combined with DHA reduces several markers of inflammation, including interleukin 17A (IL-17A), IL-1B, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-a (tnfa)
• May help patients lower their dose of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Can reduce the production of molecules and substances linked to inflammation, like inflammatory eicosanoids and cytokines

Total Brain & Body Protection:

• Has been shown to protect brain circulatory function and preserve memory along with other cognitive capacities
• Supports many other organs and body systems including the liver (by preventing triglyceride buildup), the joints (by promoting joint comfort), eyes (essential for retinal function), and muscles (protects against mobility loss as we age)

Supports Healthy Immunity

• EPA helps support healthy immune responsiveness
• Having sufficient amounts in our tissues gives the immune system the option to generate messengers from them to coordinate its activities
• Healthy immunity can be balanced with EPA

Vital for Healthy Pregnancy:

• Babies of mothers who have good EPA status through pregnancy have a lower risk for problems with mood, cognition, and behaviour in their early childhood
• Research has shown that children born to mothers with higher prenatal EPA and DHA intakes show better motor, vision, and cognitive development in their first two years of life

Improves Attention & Behaviour:

• Children and adolescents with attention and learning challenges often have low omega-3 index values
• Supplementation with EPA and DHA improves behaviour and attention, as well as better mental focus on cognitive tests
• To ensure the most benefits, the EPA dose should be at least 500mg per day

Raynaud’s Disease:

• Several studies have shown that high doses (12g) of EPA can help make fingers and toes less sensitive to cold
• Reduces the severity of blood vessel spasms
• May reduce symptoms in people with Primary Raynaud’s