I know about EPA/DHA, but what is DPA in Omega 3?
If you are interested in Omega 3 supplements, you are well versed in looking at the EPA/DHA details on labels. In clinic, we would typically start with a minimum recommendation of 1200mg/day of EPA + DHA.
However, there is another form of Omega 3 fatty acid - DPA - which is now appearing on some Omega 3 supplement labels. Should you adjust your dosage when DPA is on the label?
How can DPA change a recommended dosage?
Like its better know cousins, EPA and DHA, DPA (Docosapentaenoic Acid) is also an Omega 3 fatty acid.
What makes DPA notable and interesting as it can become EPA on demand by the body. Think about DPA as a reservoir of EPA Omega 3 fatty acids that are part of every cell in your body.
Traditional thinking favors EPA being more targeted for inflammation control and dry eye vs. DHA being more targeted for brain and inside-eye health. DPA is less understood but perhaps if it can be both EPA & DHA on demand, it has more of a regenerative function.
There are certainly some question marks about the efficiency of this conversion and if DPA has its own unique benefits beyond the ability to fluidly convert to the more well-understood forms of Omega 3.
Because it is less well understood, the presence of DPA in an Omega 3 supplement
has not changed our recommendation math... yet.
The best recommendation for how much Omega 3 to take comes from personalization (see article on Omega 3 Index), however the standard 1200mg/day is our typical clinic advice for dry eye.
Additional information: Raise your Understanding of Omega 3 Supplementation, Is Omega 3-6-9 better than just 3?,
Reference for DPA conversion to EPA: Dr. G Kaur Journal of Nutrition
https://www.meyespa.com/pages/contact-us
Away from corporate influences and their churn, I believe in time and an unhurried environment. At mEYEspa and my clinic, we are UNcorporate Optometry. I have special interest in occupational vision needs, concussive injury to the visual system and dry eye management. I am the owner of mEYEspa and a dedicated to the delivery of relevant information and clinic-tested eye care products. -Doctor of Optometry - University of Waterloo 1994 -Honors Bachelor of Science – Waterloo 1994 -Registered Ontario College of Optometrists -Member of Ontario Association of Optometrists -Member of Canadian Association of Optometrists -10 year straight winner of 3 Best Rated Optometrists London ON
