Eicosapentaenoic acid
Eicosapentaenoic acid (pronunciation: /ˌaɪkoʊsəˌpɛntəˈɛnoʊɪk ˈæsɪd/), often abbreviated as EPA, is an omega-3 fatty acid that is important for human health.
Etymology
The term "Eicosapentaenoic" comes from the Greek "eicosa", meaning twenty, and "penta", meaning five. This refers to the 20-carbon structure of the molecule, with five double bonds.
Overview
Eicosapentaenoic acid is a polyunsaturated fat, which means it contains more than one double bond in its structure. It is one of the two types of omega-3 fatty acids that are found in fish oil, the other being docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
EPA is a precursor to prostaglandin-3 (a group of hormones that control many important functions in the body), thromboxane (which plays a role in blood clotting and inflammation), and leukotriene (which is involved in the inflammatory response).
Health Benefits
EPA has been shown to have numerous health benefits, including reducing inflammation, improving heart health, and aiding in mental health disorders. It is also used in the treatment of diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and lupus.
Sources
EPA is primarily found in cold-water fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and tuna. It can also be found in fish oil supplements and in smaller amounts in algae and krill oil.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Eicosapentaenoic acid
- Wikipedia's article - Eicosapentaenoic acid
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