Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA or sometimes misspelled as eicosapentanoic acid) is an omega-3 fatty acid that acts as a precursor for prostaglandin-3 (which inhibits platelet aggregation), thromboxane-3 and leukotriene-5 groups. Eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid - dha - are precursors to potent bioactive mediators that possess both anti-inflammatory and protective properties. These mediators are coined resolvins, docosatrienes, and protectins as general classes. If you would like to buy a product with eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, see Fish-Oils.

Where is Eicosapentaenoic acid found?
Eicosapentaenoic acid is found in fish oils of cod liver, herring, mackerel, salmon, menhaden, krill oil, and sardine. It is also found in human breast milk.

How Eicosapentaenoic acid is made
The main biological role of alpha-linolenic acid (18:3n-3) appears to be as a precursor for the synthesis of longer chain n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). Increasing alphaLNA intake for a period of weeks to months results in an increase in the proportion of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; 20:5n-3) in plasma lipids, in erythrocytes, leukocytes, platelets and in breast milk but there is no increase in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 22:6n-3), which may even decline in some pools at high alphaLNA intakes.

Potential benefit of Eicosapentaenoic
The correction of a subtle nutritional deficiency that may reduce the risk of a future chronic disease is indeed a challenge. However, some specific examples in the past, such as the addition of folic acid to prevent neural tube defects and calcium and vitamin D to prevent osteoporosis, should provide some encouragement that some conditions can be prevented with the appropriate addition of a deficient compound. One of the most intriguing current and future impacts on public health may come from a greater intake of omega-3 fatty acids such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The omega-3 fatty acids continue to accumulate research that suggests that may prevent a variety of diverse chronic diseases and potentially some acute clinical scenarios.

Also occasionally spelled eicosapentanoic acid or eicosapentenoic acid

Eicosapentaenoic acid questions
Q. Is there also a vegetarian eicosapentaenoic acid EPA supplement available?
      A. At this time we are not aware of an EPA eicosapentaenoic acid vegetarian supplement by itself.