Evidence supporting the use of: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
For the health condition: Arthritis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid primarily found in fish oil, is supported by scientific evidence for its use in managing arthritis, particularly rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Multiple randomized controlled trials and meta-analyses have investigated the effects of EPA, often in combination with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on arthritis symptoms. These studies generally show that EPA supplementation can lead to modest reductions in joint pain, morning stiffness, and the number of tender joints in people with RA. The anti-inflammatory effects of EPA are believed to stem from its role as a precursor to eicosanoids, which are signaling molecules that can reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes. While the effect sizes are not large, and EPA is not a replacement for disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), it is considered a useful adjunctive therapy. The benefits in osteoarthritis are less clear, with fewer studies and more mixed results. Most guidelines and reviews acknowledge the potential benefit of EPA (and fish oil in general) for inflammatory arthritis, with relatively few adverse effects reported. Overall, the evidence base is moderate (hence a rating of 3), with consistent findings for mild symptom improvement in inflammatory arthritis, but not as robust as for standard pharmacological therapies.

More about EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
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Other ingredients used for Arthritis

adrenal cortex
alfalfa
algal oil
allspice
aloe vera
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-pinene
amino acids
anthocyanins
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
bamboo
barberry
basil
berry flavor
beta caryophyllene
Beta-Glucan
black cumin
black currant
black garlic
black pepper
sesame
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
borage oil
boron
Indian frankincense
bovine
bovine gelatin
broccoli
bromelain
burdock
calamari oil
cannabis sativa oil
capsaicinoids
carrot
cartilage
cat's claw
caterpillar mushroom
celery
cherry
chondroitin
chymotrypsin
cinnamon
citrus oil
clove
collagen
collard
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
copper
cordyceps
cowage seed
cryptoxanthin
turmeric
curcumin
devil's claw
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
evening primrose oil
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
flaxseed
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
gamma tocopherol
gelatin
genistein
ginger
ginseng
glucosamine
gooseberry
gotu kola
green lipped mussel
green tea
guggul
heartwood
hemp oil
horsetail
hyaluronic acid
Indian tinospora
knotweed
kale
krill oil
kudzu
luteolin
mackerel
magnesium
marine lipid
methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
microbial enzymes (proprietary)
microcrystalline hydroxyapatite concentrate (MCHC)
moringa
mustard seed
myristoleate
n-acetyl-glucosamine
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
nettle
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
spruce
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
orange
oregon grape
papain
phellodendron amurense
phenolic acids
phospholipids
phytocannabinoids
pine bark
pineapple
plantain
pollen
pomegranate
pregnenolone
pumpkin
quercetin
raspberry
redcurrant
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rose hips
rosemary
sardines
schizonepeta
scrophularia root
serratiopeptidase
black ginger
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
sphaeranthus indicus
spinach
spirulina
strawberry
strontium
thyme
triphala
ubiquinol
vitamin B
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
seaweed
water
watercress
wheat grass
mulberry
white willow
wild yam
zinc
sarsaparilla
yellow root
suma
squawvine
jiaogulan
typhonium
xanthium (cockleburs)
gastrodia
papaya
shen-chu
capsicum
mugwort
alpinia galangal
clerodendrum indicum
punarnava
commiphora
smilax
tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
caesalpinia crista
rubia cordifolia
bee pollen
peony
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
buckthorn
morus
lemongrass
myrrh
root tuber
ferulic acid
silk tree
chrysanthemum
haliotis
juniper berries
solomon's seal
amber
dioscorea
dodder
ganoderma
sweetgums
morinda
zanthoxylum
birch
royal jelly
guelder rose
polyphenols
trace minerals
purslane
fulvic acid
yucca
barrenwort
wintergreen
menthol oil
gentiana macrophylla
noni
biota seed
goji berry
abies spectabilis
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
indigo leaves
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
enzymes blend (proprietary)
cayenne pepper
soursop
geranium
clematis
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
Ash
Aralia
Avens
akebia
Apple Cider Vinegar
Aminomonosaccharide
Animal Tissue
Antler
Alpha-Humulene
Ardisia
Angelica
Apigenin
Allicin
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Anamu
Abrus
Albizia
Aconite
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Anserina
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American Liverleaf
Anemone
Acacetin
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Astragaloside
anthocyanidins
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Actaea spicata
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Arjunic Acid
Aspen
Ant
Abalone
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Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Arani
Arisaema
Alantolactone
Apocynin
Astragalin
Atractylone
Bee Propolis
Betony
Black Seed
Bermuda Grass
Baikal Skullcap
Bidens pilosa
Broussonetia
Bulnesia sarmientoi
bergenin
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Blepharis
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Boswellic Acid
Bayleaf
Butea monosperma
Black galingale
Barleria
Big Quaking Grass
Bugbane
Bone Marrow
Baicalein
Bee hive
Bovine Protein
Basidiomycota
berry
Bogbean
Boswellia
Black Poplar
Banyan
Black willow
Boxwood
Bur-Reed
Bioflavonoids
Barbasco
Bone Protein
Bee products
Barbary matrimony vine
Black Nightshade
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Borassus aethiopum
Babassu
Bacteria
Borage
bovine cartilage / glycosaminoglycan
Black root
Bupleurum
Bittersweet
benzyl isothiocyanate
Baicalin
Bassia scoparia
Burning Bush
Bee venom
Bergenia
Boerhavia diffusa
Borneol
Camellia sinensis
Centella triterpenes
Chinese Silkvine
Curry leaf
Caryophyllene
Cinnamomum
Chinese Mountain Ant
Crustaceans
Clerodendrum trichotomum
Camelina Oil
Cod Liver Oil
Cortisol
Cnidium
Clerodendrum phlomidis
Cactus
Capillary Artemisia
Cyanidin
Chinese Fleeceflower
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Capsaicin
Chinese Pond Turtle
Chinese Raisintree
Chlorophytum
Chuchuhuasi
Cowherb
Cruciferous
Curcumen
Centella asiatica
Cetylated Fatty Acids
Cedar
Corktree
Curcuma
Calanus finmarchicus
C-Phycocyanin
Cabbage
Crinum latifolium
Cannabidiol
Cinnamaldehyde
Cytokines
Corallina officinalis
Carthamus
Celastrus
Copaiba Oil
Clerodendrum indicum
Currant
Cannabichromene
Cannabigerol
Dimorphandra mollis
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Dodeca-2E, 4E-Dienoic Acid Isobutylamide
Daphne
Devil's Club
Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid
Dwarf Nettle
Dulse
Diterpenes
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
Dipsacus
European Elder
Erythropalum scandens
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Erodium cicutarium
Eclipta
Elk antler
Emblicanin
Emu Oil
Enzyme Blend
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Essential Oil Blend
Elephant's Head
Evening Primrose Oil
European-Five Finger Grass
Echium
Eugenol
Ecklonia
Flavonoids
Flavonones
Glycosaminoglycans
Lotus
Mustard
Spikenard
Snakeroot (unspecified)
Sandalwood
Sumac
walnut
Zucchini

Products containing EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)

Thorne Advanced DHA
Vitabase Complete Essential Fatty Acids
Pure Encapsulations DHA Ultimate
Pure Encapsulations DHA Ultimate
Pure Encapsulations EFA Essentials
Pure Encapsulations Energize Plus™ Pure Pack
Pure Encapsulations EPA/DHA
Pure Encapsulations EPA/DHA essentials 1,000 mg
Pure Encapsulations EPA/DHA essentials 1,000 mg
Vitabase EPA / DHA Omega-3
Pure Encapsulations EPA/DHA with Lemon
Pure Encapsulations EPA Ultimate
Klean Athlete Klean Omega ™
Douglas Laboratories Krill Oil
Pure Encapsulations Krill-Plex
Pure Encapsulations Krill-Plex
Metagenics MetaKids DHA
Pure Encapsulations NeuroMood Pure Pack
Pure Encapsulations O.N.E.™ Omega
Pure Encapsulations O.N.E.™ Omega
Thorne Omega-3 w/ CoQ10
Thorne Omega Superb Lemon Berry
Metagenics OmegaGenics Algae EPA-DHA 300 mg
Metagenics OmegaGenics EPA DHA 2400 Fish Oil
Metagenics OmegaGenics EPA-DHA 300 Lemon Lime
Metagenics OmegaGenics Fish Oil
Metagenics OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA 1200 mg
Metagenics OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 1000 mg
Metagenics OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 1000 mg
Metagenics OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 500 mg
Metagenics OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 500 mg
Metagenics OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 720 mg
Metagenics OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 720 mg
Metagenics OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 720 mg
Metagenics OmegaGenics Fish Oil Mega 10®
Metagenics OmegaGenics Neuro 1000 mg
Designs For Health OmegAvail™ Hi-Po
Designs For Health OmegAvail™ Hi-Po
Designs For Health OmegAvail™ Hi-Po Liquid
Designs For Health OmegAvail™ Liquid
Designs For Health OmegAvail™ Synergy
Designs For Health OmegAvail™ Synergy
Designs For Health OmegAvail™ TG1000
Designs For Health OmegAvail™ Ultra
Designs For Health OmegAvail™ Ultra
Designs For Health OmegAvail™ Ultra DHA
Designs For Health OmegAvail™ Ultra with Vitamin D3, K1 and K2
Douglas Laboratories Opti-EPA 500 ™ Cholesterol Free
Douglas Laboratories Opti-EPA 500 ™ Cholesterol Free
Metagenics PlusOne® Daily Prenatal Packs
Thorne Prenatal DHA
Pure Encapsulations Pro-Resolve Omega
Thorne Pro-Resolving Mediators
Integrative Therapeutics Pure Omega HP
Integrative Therapeutics Pure Omega Liquid
Integrative Therapeutics Pure Omega Ultra HP
Pure Encapsulations PureNutrients EPA/DHA
Douglas Laboratories QÜELL® FISH OIL DHA Ultra SPM
Douglas Laboratories QUELL Fish Oil ® - EPA/DHA Plus D
Metagenics SPM Active
Thorne Super EPA
Thorne Super EPA NSF
Thorne Super EPA Pro
Vitabase Super Omega-3
Pure Encapsulations Ultra Pure Pack
Pure Encapsulations VisionPro EPA/DHA/GLA
Pure Encapsulations VisionPro EPA/DHA/GLA
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Active Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Brain Health Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials® Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Healthy Balance Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Men's Vitality Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Women's Daily Packs
Metagenics Wellness Essentials Women's Prime Daily Packs
Designs For Health XanthOmega™ Krill Oil