Docosapentaenoic Acid (DPA)
Overview
Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) is an omega-3 fatty acid. It's found in fish and seal oils with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
DPA is also made by some types of algae in the lab. It is also made in the body in small amounts. DPA might help improve heart and brain health. DPA is also used to make other omega-3 fatty acids like eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). EPA helps with the function of all cells.
People sometimes use DPA for high levels of fats called triglycerides in the blood (hypertriglyceridemia), cancer, heart disease, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) with other types of omega-3 fatty acids including alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), eicosatetraenoic acid, and stearidonic acid, or with sources of omega-3 fatty acids, including chia, fish oil, flaxseed oil, and krill oil. These are not the same. DPA is also the name for a different omega-6 fatty acid. These are not the same.
DPA is also made by some types of algae in the lab. It is also made in the body in small amounts. DPA might help improve heart and brain health. DPA is also used to make other omega-3 fatty acids like eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). EPA helps with the function of all cells.
People sometimes use DPA for high levels of fats called triglycerides in the blood (hypertriglyceridemia), cancer, heart disease, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) with other types of omega-3 fatty acids including alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), eicosatetraenoic acid, and stearidonic acid, or with sources of omega-3 fatty acids, including chia, fish oil, flaxseed oil, and krill oil. These are not the same. DPA is also the name for a different omega-6 fatty acid. These are not the same.
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