Research

Hormonal

Supplementation with EPA and DHA (2.7 g/day EPA) reduces the production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids (like PGE2) and cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta) by altering cell membrane phospholipid composition and inhibiting NF-kB activation.

To reduce inflammation, standard fish oil doses may be insufficient. Research suggests a threshold of approximately 2.7 grams of EPA per day is needed to significantly lower inflammatory markers like PGE2. This is higher than typical dietary intake. For conditions like RA, this dosage has shown clinical benefits like reduced stiffness and pain.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Increased intake of EPA and DHA from supplements results in an increased content of EPA and DHA in the phospholipids of cells involved in inflammation... resulting in decreased availability of the usual substrate for the synthesis of eicosanoids... EPA or fish oil decreased LPS-induced activation of NF-kB in human monocytes
Philip C. Calder · Biochemical Society Transactions · 2017

Why this rating

The paper cites multiple meta-analyses and RCTs for RA, and animal/human studies for other conditions, indicating strong but not universal evidence.

Source

Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: from molecules to man

Philip C. Calder · Biochemical Society Transactions · 2017

DOI 10.1042/bst20160474

narrative_reviewCited 1,314×
Read the paper
DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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