Why are EPA and DHA important?

Sources:

EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are essential omega-3 fatty acids crucial for maintaining health due to their roles in various biological processes:

  1. Inflammation Reduction: Both EPA and DHA help manage inflammation. EPA does this by dampening pathways involved in inflammation, such as prostaglandins and leukotrines. DHA contributes through metabolites known as resolvins, marisins, and protectins. These molecules aid in resolving inflammation after it has occurred 1.

  2. Brain Health: DHA and EPA are important for brain health. DHA is particularly associated with brain function and repairing brain damage. EPA can mitigate depressive symptoms by blunting inflammatory responses triggered by lipopolysaccharides from bacteria, which can induce these symptoms 1.

  3. Cardiovascular Health: Omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA and DHA, play significant roles in cardiovascular health. They help reduce the formation of atherosclerotic plaques by modulating inflammation and the production of small, dense lipoprotein particles 2.

  4. Overall Mortality and Aging: Supplementation with EPA and DHA has been linked to lower all-cause mortality and delays in brain aging due to their capacity to assist in cellular repair and decrease telomere attrition, a marker of biological aging 3.

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    Rhonda Patrick discusses the importance of DHA and EPA in resolving inflammation and their impact on brain health. She also explores the potential benefits of EPA supplementation in treating depression.

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Thus, EPA and DHA are integral to inflammatory response management, brain health maintenance, cardiovascular protection, and potentially extending healthy life spans.

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