• • • • Improve cognitive function [3]
      • Improve mood [3]
      • Sharpen memory [3]
      • Enhance learning [3]
      • Reduces the risk of heart failure [1]
      • Regulates skin [6]
      • Improve bones health [7]
        

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are both found in omega-3 fish oil. Omega-3 fatty acids are crucial nutrients that aid in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. According to the American Heart Association, everyone should consume fish (especially fatty, cold water fish) at least twice a week. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in abundance in salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, lake trout, and tuna [1].

Polyunsaturated fatty acids including eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid mediate important cellular functions such as inhibition of platelet function, prolongation of bleeding time, anti-inflammatory effects, and reduction of plasma fibrinogen.

Polyunsaturated fatty acids are components of the phospholipids that form the structures of the cell membranes and also serve as an energy source. They form eicosanoids which are important signalling molecules with wide-ranging functions in the body's cardiovascular, pulmonary, immune, and endocrine systems.

DHA tends to exist in high concentrations in the retina, brain (via uptake by Mfsd2a as a transporter), and sperm. Increased levels of EPA or DHA have been observed to lower PGE2 and 4 series-LT levels, implying that omega-3 fatty acids mediate anti-inflammatory actions.

Eicosapentaenoic acids compete with arachidonic acid for the same desaturation enzymes in cell membranes, resulting in 3-series prostaglandins and thrombosanes, as well as 5-series leukotrienes with minimal pro-inflammatory potential. The anti-inflammatory benefits are attributed to a change in leukotriene production due to a higher concentration of omega-3 fatty acids than arachidonic acid [2].