DHA is more effective than EPA in increasing the Omega-3 Index and reducing inflammation and triglycerides.

Omega-3 DHA reduces inflammation and high triglycerides!

Supplements of omega-3 EPA and DHA act with equal effectiveness on immune system cells by similarly regulating the expression of specific genes involved in inflammation. However, DHA, compared to EPA, has a greater effect in reducing blood triglycerides and some inflammatory signaling molecules, and has a better ability to increase the Omega-3 Index, thereby reducing cardiac risk.

These results come from three different studies conducted by a team of researchers from the Institute of Nutrition and Functional Foods at Laval University (Canada), published in the scientific journals Atherosclerosis, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, and Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids.

Omega-3: anti-inflammatory effects and cardiovascular health

Omega-3s are a category of fatty acids well known for their positive effects on the body during different life stages. Various types exist in nature, including alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), a plant-based 18-carbon acid, and the long-chain omega-3s EPA and DHA. Vegetable oils such as flaxseed oil, canola oil, and certain nuts mainly contain linoleic acid.

The primary dietary sources of EPA and DHA are fish, especially those inhabiting cold seas. Omega-3s can also be consumed as dietary supplements formulated with fish oil extracts containing variable ratios of EPA and DHA. Numerous studies have been conducted to determine the association between omega-3 consumption and reduced cardiovascular risk.

They modulate various factors such as blood lipid concentration, blood pressure, thrombosis, and inflammation, which can increase the likelihood of cardiovascular disorders. Inflammation is also a feature of chronic conditions like obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes, and is a key factor in the development of atherosclerosis and ischemic heart disease.

There is a substantial amount of scientific research suggesting that many foods and nutrients, particularly omega-3s, modulate the chronic inflammatory state observed in cardiometabolic diseases. Specifically, EPA and DHA exert their anti-inflammatory effect by altering the properties and functions of immune cells through changes in gene expression. However, almost all published research on the anti-inflammatory effects of omega-3s refers to a mixture of EPA and DHA or to only one of the two. Emerging studies suggest that EPA and DHA have different effects on blood lipid concentrations and inflammation markers, but evidence is limited and little is known about the specific effects of the two omega-3s on metabolic pathways and biological processes underlying cardiovascular and metabolic health in humans.

The fatty acid composition of cell membranes influences their physicochemical properties, and omega-3s integrate into cell membranes, affecting their fluidity, structure, and functions. The Omega-3 Index, calculated as the percentage content of EPA and DHA in red blood cell membranes, reflects the fatty acid composition of major organs, including the heart.

A high Omega-3 Index (8-12%) has been associated with a lower risk of coronary heart disease and coronary mortality. Supplementation with EPA and DHA is recommended by various health agencies, including the American Heart Association, for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disorders or management of plasma triglycerides.

However, whether EPA and DHA have distinct effects on the Omega-3 Index is currently unknown. Since the Omega-3 Index is modifiable by diet, studies are needed to compare the different effects of EPA and DHA on this clinical tool for cardiovascular risk management. The researchers from the University of Raval aimed to investigate the different effects of EPA and DHA in men and women.

DHA is more effective on inflammatory molecules, blood lipids, and the Omega-3 Index

Research data indicated that high doses of EPA or DHA produce similar effects on gene expression in immune cells in both men and women, equally reducing inflammation symptoms. However, a second study showed differences in the effects of the two omega-3s on inflammatory signaling molecules, so-called inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-18 (IL-18); highlighting DHA’s greater ability to reduce these molecules compared to the same amounts of EPA. DHA also proved more powerful in modulating blood lipid concentrations.

The third study, published in Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids, found that high daily amounts of DHA increased the Omega-3 Index by an average of 5.6%, a greater increase than that obtained with the same amount of EPA. According to the researchers, DHA’s greater capacity to increase the Omega-3 Index compared to EPA aligns with DHA’s potency in modulating cardiometabolic risk factors. “Taken together, these studies mark an important shift from epidemiological research to intervention studies highlighting the benefits of fish oil supplements,” said Barry Ritz, a researcher from the company that financially supported the three studies.

“The results contribute to the ongoing debate about how fish oil can be effectively used as a clinical tool in promoting health and managing chronic diseases. Omega-3 supplements are very popular and widespread, so it is important for health professionals and patients to follow developments in this research area in the coming years,” Ritz continued.

Details of the research

The studies involved 154 subjects, 48 men and 106 women, with abdominal obesity and low-grade inflammation. One group followed a daily supplementation with 2.7 grams of EPA, a second group with the same amount of DHA, and a third consumed only corn oil as control.

After 10 weeks of treatment, the researchers analyzed each person’s levels of inflammatory signaling molecules, triglycerides, and cholesterol. They also studied gene expression in immune cells and determined the Omega-3 Index. Results showed that while high-dose EPA or DHA supplementation had similar effects on the expression of many inflammation-related genes in immune cells of subjects at risk of cardiometabolic diseases, DHA proved more effective in reducing levels of IL-18, CRP, triglycerides, and cholesterol.

Additionally, the Omega-3 Index of participants in the DHA group increased by an average of 5.6%, compared to 3.3% in the EPA group, with a greater increase in men than in women.

DHA reduces inflammatory molecules and increases the Omega-3 Index more than EPA

According to the researchers who conducted the studies, the results fill a gap in research by evaluating the specific effects through which omega-3s contribute to health and prevention of important metabolic diseases. These are the first studies to efficiently compare the effects of EPA and DHA on inflammation markers and blood lipids, and thus on cardiovascular risk in men and women with abdominal obesity and systemic inflammation, demonstrating the greater efficacy of DHA compared to EPA.

Omegor VitaDHA liquid: a supplement rich in DHA

The right amount of DHA can be consumed with VitaDHA liquid; a supplement produced by Omegor with purified fish oil, containing in each vial as much as 1450 mg of DHA and 330 mg of EPA. It is indicated in all conditions where a higher DHA intake is required. To stay always updated on the latest scientific research on Omega-3 subscribe to our newsletter.