Research
Hormonal
EPA and DHA stabilize atherosclerotic plaques by reducing macrophage infiltration and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression, thereby lowering the risk of plaque rupture.
For patients with existing atherosclerosis, EPA and DHA supplementation may help stabilize plaques by reducing inflammation within the vessel wall. This is achieved by incorporating into the plaque and reducing macrophage presence, potentially lowering the risk of rupture.
GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
EPA and DHA could stabilize atherosclerotic plaques by decreasing infiltration of inflammatory cells into the plaques and/or by decreasing the activity of those cells once in the plaque... incorporation is associated with fewer macrophages in the plaque and with structural changes consistent with increased plaque stability
Why this rating
Supported by specific human studies on carotid plaques and animal models, though not as universally applied as RA data.
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
More from this paper
- 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.Good
- Intravenous n-3 fatty acids (fish oil emulsions) reduce inflammation and improve outcomes in critically ill patients, including reduced infection rates and shorter hospital stays.Moderate
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