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Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA)
Overview
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is an omega-3 fatty acid that is found along with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in cold-water fish, including tuna and salmon.
EPA prevents the blood from clotting easily, reduces triglyceride levels in the blood, and has effects that might reduce pain and swelling.
EPA is a US FDA-approved prescription drug for reducing triglyceride levels. As a supplement, people most commonly use EPA for heart disease, preventing heart attack, and depression. It is also used for chemotherapy-related side effects, diabetes, recovery after surgery, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these other uses.
Don't confuse EPA with similar fatty acids, such as alpha-linolenic acid and DHA. See the separate listings for algal oil, alpha-linolenic acid, DHA, fish oil, and krill oil.
EPA prevents the blood from clotting easily, reduces triglyceride levels in the blood, and has effects that might reduce pain and swelling.
EPA is a US FDA-approved prescription drug for reducing triglyceride levels. As a supplement, people most commonly use EPA for heart disease, preventing heart attack, and depression. It is also used for chemotherapy-related side effects, diabetes, recovery after surgery, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these other uses.
Don't confuse EPA with similar fatty acids, such as alpha-linolenic acid and DHA. See the separate listings for algal oil, alpha-linolenic acid, DHA, fish oil, and krill oil.
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