Limited evidenceHeart & metabolic

DPA (Docosapentaenoic Acid)

The overlooked third marine omega-3, sitting between EPA and DHA. Blood levels of DPA track with better cardiometabolic markers, but supplementing purified DPA has barely been tested in humans.

Evidence last reviewed: August 2026

What the science says

Human supplementation data Limited evidence
The main supplementation study gave 8 g/day of pure DPA or EPA to ten women for seven days and looked only at how the fatty acids were incorporated into plasma and red cells. It measured no health outcome, and a 2021 review still described DPA as the neglected omega-3 with minimal human trial evidence.
Association with triglycerides and CRP Limited evidence
In healthy adults, red blood cell DPA was inversely associated with triglycerides and C-reactive protein, and rose dose-dependently after conventional EPA and DHA supplementation. This is an observational association within a supplementation study, not proof that taking DPA causes the benefit.
Advantage over EPA and DHA Limited evidence
No trial has compared DPA against EPA or DHA on any clinical endpoint. Since standard fish oil raises DPA levels anyway, a separate DPA product has no demonstrated added value.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseNo established dose. Supplements marketed for DPA usually supply 50–150 mg alongside EPA and DHA; the one human study used 8 g/day of pure DPA for a week, which is not a supplement regimen.

SafetyShort-term tolerability appeared unremarkable in the one small study, but the human safety database is essentially empty. Expect the same considerations as other marine omega-3s: mild antiplatelet effect at higher doses, caution with anticoagulants and before surgery, and avoidance with fish or shellfish allergy depending on source.

Scientific references

A short-term n-3 DPA supplementation study in humans
Miller E, Kaur G, Larsen A — Eur J Nutr, 2013
Red Blood Cell Docosapentaenoic Acid (DPA n-3) is Inversely Associated with Triglycerides and C-reactive Protein (CRP) in Healthy Adults and Dose-Dependently Increases Following n-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation
Skulas-Ray AC, Flock MR, Richter CK — Nutrients, 2015
n - 3 Docosapentaenoic acid: the iceberg n - 3 fatty acid
Ghasemi Fard S, Cameron-Smith D, Sinclair AJ — Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care, 2021

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