concept

eicosapentaenoic acid

Also known as: EPA

Facts (22)

Sources

Immunity In Depth | Linus Pauling Institute lpi.oregonstate.edu Linus Pauling Institute 20 facts

referenceEicosapentaenoic acid has a limited effect on T-lymphocyte and natural killer cell numbers and functions in healthy young males, according to a 2006 study by Miles et al. published in the journal Nutrition.

referenceEicosapentaenoic acid has dose-related effects on innate immune function in healthy humans, with differences observed between young and older men, as reported in a 2006 study by Rees et al. published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

referenceDietary supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid decreases natural killer cell activity in healthy subjects aged over 55 years, whereas other long-chain n-3 or n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids do not have this effect, according to a 2001 study by Thies et al. published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

measurementSupplementation with 1.35 g/day of EPA and 0.3 g/day of DHA did not affect innate immune functions in either young or older men.

claimA randomized controlled trial comparing healthy young men (ages 18 to 42 years) and older men (ages 53 to 70 years) found that EPA was more readily incorporated into mononuclear cell membranes in older men following 12 weeks of supplementation with increasing doses of EPA-rich oil.

measurementA randomized controlled trial in 93 young men (ages 18 to 42 years) found that 12 weeks of daily supplementation with up to 4 g of EPA and 0.9 g of DHA had no effect on NK cell activity, T lymphocyte proliferation, or cytokine production.

claimArachidonic acid (a long-chain n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid) can be synthesized from linoleic acid (LA), while eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) can be synthesized from alpha-linolenic acid (ALA).

claimEicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) modulate cellular functions, including immune and inflammatory responses.

claimThe synthesis of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may be insufficient during specific physiological conditions, such as pregnancy and lactation.

measurementIn a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 46 healthy older adults (ages 55 to 75 years), daily supplementation with 720 mg of EPA and 280 mg of DHA for 12 weeks reduced natural killer (NK) cell activity and T lymphocyte proliferation.

claimRandomized controlled trials in humans indicate that eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) may suppress some aspects of the immune response, with dose and participant age acting as modulating factors.

claimAnimal studies show that high dietary intake of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) results in decreased pathogen clearance and increased susceptibility to experimental infections.

measurementIn a randomized controlled trial, supplementation with 2.7 g/day and 4.05 g/day of EPA resulted in an approximate 20% impairment in neutrophil respiratory burst in older men, but not in young men.

claimSupplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and other n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may be useful in treating various inflammatory diseases.

claimIncreasing n-3 fatty acid intake dose-dependently increases the eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) content of immune cell membranes, which leads to increased production of EPA-derived eicosanoids, decreased production of arachidonic acid-derived eicosanoids, and an overall anti-inflammatory effect.

claimDuring an inflammatory response, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (such as arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid) in immune cell membranes are metabolized by enzymes into eicosanoids, including prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and thromboxanes, which have varying effects on inflammation.

measurementIn a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 46 healthy older adults (ages 55 to 75 years), daily supplementation with 720 mg of EPA and 280 mg of DHA for 12 weeks had no effect on the numbers of neutrophils, monocytes, or macrophages, nor did it affect respiratory burst or the production of cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6.

claimIndividuals consuming a typical Western diet have higher amounts of arachidonic acid (AA) in their immune cell membranes compared to eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), resulting in a higher production of AA-derived eicosanoids.

claimEicosanoids derived from eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are less biologically active than those derived from arachidonic acid (AA).

claimResolvins are lipid mediators derived from eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that possess anti-inflammatory properties.

Chronic inflammation in the etiology of disease across the life span nature.com Nature Dec 5, 2019 1 fact

referenceSupplements containing eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid modulate risk factors for cardiovascular disease, as concluded in a 2017 meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled human clinical trials by S. AbuMweis et al. in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.

All about the male hormone cycle | Guud Woman guudwoman.com Guud Woman 1 fact

claimThe fatty acids EPA and DHA contribute to the normal functioning of the heart.