| Property | Omega-3 EPA | Omega-3 DHA |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Eicosapentaenoic acid | Docosahexaenoic acid |
| Safety rating | Generally Safe | Generally Safe |
| Evidence level | Strong | Strong |
| Category | Fatty Acids | Fatty Acids |
| RDA | 250–500 mg EPA+DHA | 250–500 mg EPA+DHA |
| Tolerable UL | FDA: up to 3 g/day | See EPA |
| Clinical pearl | EPA is the anti-inflammatory omega-3. REDUCE-IT: pure EPA 4 g/day (Vascepa) reduced CV events 25% — the most important supplement-to-drug trial ever. EPA-predominant for depression (meta-analyses favor ≥60% EPA). STRENGTH trial (EPA+DHA) was negative — EPA alone may be the key. See Fish Oil entry for comprehensive data [1] [2]. | DHA is the structural omega-3 — 40% of brain PUFA, 60% of retinal PUFA. CRITICAL in pregnancy (third trimester brain growth). EPA is anti-inflammatory; DHA is structural. ALA→DHA conversion is <5% — direct DHA sources (fish, algae) are necessary. See Fish Oil entry for comprehensive omega-3 data [1] [2]. |
| Key interactions | See profile | See profile |
| US products (DSLD) | 1 | — |