Metabolic health
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)
C20:5n-3
Included in Complete.
Compare membershipsFish and fish oil show up clearly in this result.
EPA is a long-chain omega-3, part of a family of fats your body can't make from scratch. It comes mainly from fatty fish, seafood, and fish or algal oil supplements, so your level largely reflects how much of these you eat or take.
Food and supplements matter more than conversion.
Your body makes only small amounts of EPA from plant omega-3s, so fish, seafood, and omega-3 supplements are the main sources.
The American Heart Association suggests one to two seafood meals a week for heart health. Its review of fish oil supplements found the clearest evidence of benefit in people who already have certain heart conditions.
Questions
What does a low EPA result mean?
It usually means little fish or seafood in your diet and no omega-3 supplement. It's best read together with your DHA and combined EPA plus DHA results. A licensed nurse practitioner reviews every result and can flag whether yours is worth discussing.
Does a high EPA level mean I'm protected from heart disease?
No. In many studies, higher omega-3 levels are linked with lower cardiovascular risk, but no single result can rule out heart disease. EPA is one input alongside your cholesterol, ApoB, blood pressure, and health history.
Sources and references
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, Omega-3 fatty acids fact sheet for health professionals
- American Heart Association, Seafood long-chain omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease, science advisory (Circulation, 2018)
- American Heart Association, Omega-3 fatty acid (fish oil) supplementation and prevention of clinical cardiovascular disease, science advisory (Circulation, 2017)