Hormonal
DHA supplementation significantly reduces blood pressure and heart rate, whereas EPA supplementation does not produce these specific hemodynamic effects.
If you are looking to lower blood pressure or heart rate, DHA supplementation (around 3-4g/day) appears more effective than EPA. Generic fish oil mixes may not provide these specific hemodynamic benefits because EPA does not seem to lower BP or HR in humans, even though it lowers triglycerides like DHA does.
Evidence to date suggests that DHA is more efficient in decreasing blood pressure, heart rate and platelet aggregation compared to EPA.
Why this rating
Based on a review of multiple RCTs and meta-analyses, but results are mixed for office BP and consistent for ambulatory BP and HR.
Source
The differential effects of EPA and DHA on cardiovascular risk factors
S Cottin et al. · Proceedings of The Nutrition Society · 2011
DOI 10.1017/s0029665111000061
More from this paper
- Both EPA and DHA reduce fasting triglyceride levels, but DHA uniquely increases LDL and HDL particle size, which may offer additional cardiovascular protection.Good
- DHA improves endothelial function and arterial compliance more effectively than EPA, potentially through mechanisms involving membrane fluidity and nitric oxide release.Moderate
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