Yplostylia Varkonin 
Fish oils have gained much traction as a means of supporting your heart, brain, joints, and overall health; nevertheless, when reading the labels on most fish oil supplement products, you will see two commonly used omega 3 fatty acids: DHA (docosahexaenoic) & EPA (eicosapentaenoic). By learning what’s the difference between these two fatty acids, you can gain insight into how to choose your fish oil supplements wisely for your own health and wellness goals.
DHA and EPA, both types of omega three fatty acids from fish are both available as a dietary supplement. The average person who does not eat enough fish finds it difficult to fulfil their daily requirement of Omega 3’s. Even those who do eat fish can still benefit when taking omega 3 supplements. DHA and EPA can also be found in fortified products or added to foods, either naturally or through fortification. Although many people think they are the same, EPA and DHA support different aspects of health through separate mechanisms.
Today’s diets often do not provide enough omega-3-rich foods in one’s eating patterns (especially those consuming fewer fish). Fish oil supplementation is one of the easiest means of obtaining the essential fatty acids. Many consumers are now more aware of what is in their supplements and how much DHA/EPA are present in each serving.
With the increase in knowledge of nutritional health, there has also been a rise in interest in the contributions of various sources of omega-3 fatty acids to brain function and heart health, as well as support for inflammation, and how they can impact healthy aging. Understanding some of the fundamental differences between DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) will help you select supplements based on your particular health needs.
The Role of DHA in Brain and Eye Health
DHA supplements have numerous substantial advantages, one of which is that it helps maintain healthy brains and eyes. DHA is significant in maintaining both visual and cognitive function as it is greatly represented in the brain and retina and therefore will play a major role in maintaining these functions.
Hippocampal DHA levels are associated with good communication between neurons within the brain, and may therefore influence performance on tests designed to measure attention, learning, and memory. Due in part to this relationship, many people who are concerned about their cognitive health consume fish oil supplements containing high concentrations of DHA every day.
DHA is vital both in different periods through life, such as as we go through the aging process, but there have been some studies that support adequate intake of omega-3 fatty acids (DHA) helps maintain normal brain function throughout life. Many students, professionals, and older adults are using these DHA-based fish oil supplements to provide them with nutritional assistance for improved brain performance as they age.
Supporting the brain also includes providing support for proper eye structure and maintaining optimal eyesight, which can be done with DHA. The retina is also quite high in DHA, so the further you consume omega-3s, the more you may also be helping to support overall eye health as part of a complete and healthy lifestyle.
DHA is a major component of many body tissues and is therefore often the focus for individuals taking higher concentrations of DHA as a means of improving cognitive and visual functioning.
The Effects of EPA on Inflammation and Cardiovascular Health
DHA has a much more consistent link than EPA to brain structure. However, EPA benefits are more often related to support of inflammatory response and optimal heart health. There is extensive evidence for the use of EPA in supporting the body’s natural inflammatory response and improving cardiovascular health.
Inflammation can impact a variety of the body’s systems over time. These include inflammatory conditions affecting joints, muscles, and cardiovascular tissue as well. As eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is thought to help maintain balanced levels of inflammation, many physically active individuals and health conscious consumers take fish oil supplements as part of their overall health regimen.
Additionally, EPA has been linked to the maintenance of healthy triglyeride levels in an already normal range. The consensus from several studies suggest that EPA-rich omega-3 fatty acids help improve cardiovascular health when used in conjunction with good nutrition, physical fitness, and a well-balanced lifestyle.
Individuals participating in sports and fitness may want supplements that have higher concentrations of EPA due to its possible benefit for muscle repair and relieving discomfort from joints after exercise. Because of the anti-inflammatory benefit of EPA, it is a common supplement for individuals interested in physical wellness and mobilization.
Most fish oil supplements include the two omega-3 fatty acids – DHA and EPA – since they work best in combination for a wider variety of health benefits than do either nutrient alone. The ratio of DHA to EPA can differ from product to product and by the intended application.
Consumers who want to purchase a fish oil supplement must obtain accurate information from the label on how much Omega-3 fatty acids are present per serving. Fish oil supplements that are of good quality usually list the amounts of DHA and EPA individually and provide some type of advanced purification method and independent testing for safety and freshness.
As the awareness around omega 3 nutrition has increased, knowledge on the differences between DHA and EPA supplements will allow for better informed choices about how to support a lifetime of natural health and wellness.
