Health Benefits And Uses Of

Docosapentaenoic Acid (DPA)

An essential omega-3 fatty acid found in fatty fish and seal oil, DPA supports injury recovery by promoting healthy blood clotting, managing inflammation, and aiding in the formation of new blood vessels, making it particularly important for strict vegetarians, bottle-fed infants, and those with fish-free diets.

Docosapentaenoic Acid (DPA)

Support for Injury Recovery

DPA Background and Benefits

Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) is an omega-3 fatty acid that is known chemically as all-cis-4,7,10,13,16-docosapentaenoic acid. It also has an omega-6 isomer, although this form is rare in mammals except for the testes. The structure of DPA is similar to that of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), except that DPA has two more carbon units in its chain.

The most abundant dietary source of DPA is oil from the bearded seal, which contains 5.6 grams of DPA per 100-gram serving, and some researchers feel that it may be a contributing factor to the overall good cardiovascular health of the Greenland Intuits. Fatty fish such as menhaden and salmon also have high levels of DPA. Raw salmon oil contains 393 milligrams of DPA per 100-gram serving. Atlantic mackerel and Florida pompano (which contain even more DPA than EPA) deliver over 200 mg of DPA per 100 gram portion. Small-fin tuna is also another good source of DPA.

Laboratory studies show that DPA and EPA are readily converted into each other in the liver, so DPA serves as a precursor for EPA. However, neither of these fatty acids appears to be metabolized into docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is another nutritionally important omega-3 fatty acid. DPA is also present in many other tissues, especially the heart, kidneys and skeletal muscle. DPA serves many functions in the human body that primarily deal with blood health and cell proliferation.

Uses of DPA

The support of healthy clotting is one of the most common reasons for taking DPA. It is also commonly used to support healthy inflammation management and blood vessel function.

Healthy Inflammation Management

DPA may be able to support healthy inflammation management.

Blood Vessel Support

DPA may help support the healthy formation of blood vessels, known scientifically as angiogenesis.

Blood Clotting Support

DPA may help to maintain the proper degree of platelet aggregation in the blood, commonly known as thrombosis. Laboratory studies show that DPA inhibits thrombosis in women.

DPA has multiple levels of benefits and is an essential element of fish oils. All of our fish oil products contain DPA, including Omega 3 / DHA, Omega 3 / DHA Plus , and even Omega 3 For Dogs.

Signs You May Need DPA

The most significant signs that you may need DPA are conditions that restrict your dietary intake of DPA. This primarily includes strict vegetarians and bottle-fed infants. You may also benefit from DPA if your diet doesn’t include fish. The physical signs of a DPA deficiency include a high clotting rate and poor healing.

Synonyms and Similar Forms of DPA

Omega-3, fish oil


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