Evidence supporting the use of: Eicosapentaenoic acid
For the health condition: Blood Clots (prevention of)

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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, has been investigated for its potential role in the prevention of blood clots (thrombosis). The scientific rationale is based on EPA’s ability to modulate platelet aggregation and alter blood lipid profiles, both of which can influence clot formation. Several clinical studies and meta-analyses have demonstrated that EPA, alone or as part of combined omega-3 supplementation, can reduce platelet aggregation, decrease blood viscosity, and lower levels of certain clotting factors. These effects may contribute to a reduced risk of arterial thrombosis, such as that leading to heart attack or stroke.

However, the strength of evidence is moderate. While epidemiological studies link higher fish/omega-3 intake with reduced cardiovascular events, results from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are mixed. Some large RCTs have shown modest reductions in major cardiovascular events (which can involve clot formation) with EPA supplementation, while others have shown no significant benefit. The REDUCE-IT trial, which specifically used high-dose purified EPA, reported a significant reduction in cardiovascular events, but this was in high-risk patients and not exclusively focused on blood clot prevention. Current guidelines recognize potential antithrombotic benefits, but do not recommend EPA solely for blood clot prevention outside of established cardiovascular indications. In summary, there is scientific evidence supporting a modest antithrombotic effect of EPA, but its clinical use as a standalone agent for blood clot prevention is not strongly established.

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