Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) is an omega-3 fatty acid that is known chemically as all-cis-4,7,10,13,16-docosapentaenoic acid. It also has an omega-6 isomer, although this form is rare in mammals except for the testes. The structure of DPA is similar to that of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), except that DPA has two more carbon units in its chain.
The most abundant dietary source of DPA is oil from the bearded seal, which contains 5.6 grams of DPA per 100-gram serving, and some researchers feel that it may be a contributing factor to the overall good cardiovascular health of the Greenland Intuits. Fatty fish such as menhaden and salmon also have high levels of DPA. Raw salmon oil contains 393 milligrams of DPA per 100-gram serving. Atlantic mackerel and Florida pompano (which contain even more DPA than EPA) deliver over 200 mg of DPA per 100 gram portion. Small-fin tuna is also another good source of DPA.
Laboratory studies show that DPA and EPA are readily converted into each other in the liver, so DPA serves as a precursor for EPA. However, neither of these fatty acids appears to be metabolized into docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is another nutritionally important omega-3 fatty acid. DPA is also present in many other tissues, especially the heart, kidneys and skeletal muscle. DPA serves many functions in the human body that primarily deal with blood health and cell proliferation.
The support of healthy clotting is one of the most common reasons for taking DPA. It is also commonly used to support healthy inflammation management and blood vessel function.
DPA may be able to support healthy inflammation management.
DPA may help support the healthy formation of blood vessels, known scientifically as angiogenesis.
DPA may help to maintain the proper degree of platelet aggregation in the blood, commonly known as thrombosis. Laboratory studies show that DPA inhibits thrombosis in women.
DPA has multiple levels of benefits and is an essential element of fish oils. All of our fish oil products contain DPA, including Omega 3 / DHA, Omega 3 / DHA Plus , and even Omega 3 For Dogs.
The most significant signs that you may need DPA are conditions that restrict your dietary intake of DPA. This primarily includes strict vegetarians and bottle-fed infants. You may also benefit from DPA if your diet doesn’t include fish. The physical signs of a DPA deficiency include a high clotting rate and poor healing.
Omega-3, fish oil
Linked in a wide variety of studies to smarter kids with more focus, better heart health, less risk of joint problems and a lower risk of mood and brain disorders, it’s no wonder Omega 3s get so much attention. (Ref. 1) But that’s not to say Omega...
Support for Heart Health DHA Background Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid that is also commonly known as cervonic acid. Its chemical name is all-cis-docosa-4,7,10,13,16,19-hexa-enoic acid, which has the shorthand name 22:6(n-3). DHA is directly available through the diet, primar...
Support for Heart Health EPA Background Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is an omega-3 fatty acid that is also known as icosapentaenoic acid and timnodonic acid. Its chemical structure is 20:5(n-3), which indicates that an EPA molecule is a chain of 20 carbon atoms with 5 double bonds. The first doubl...
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