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

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid found primarily in marine sources such as fish oil. Its use in supporting and treating cardiovascular disease (CVD) is grounded in substantial scientific research. Epidemiological studies have long observed lower rates of CVD in populations with high fish consumption, leading to the hypothesis that omega-3 fatty acids, including EPA, confer protective cardiovascular effects. Mechanistically, EPA is known to reduce triglyceride levels, exert anti-inflammatory effects, improve endothelial function, and reduce platelet aggregation, which can collectively reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and thrombosis.

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have provided further evidence for EPA's cardiovascular benefits. Notably, the REDUCE-IT trial (2018) demonstrated that high-dose purified EPA (icosapent ethyl, 4 g/day) significantly reduced major adverse cardiovascular events in high-risk patients with elevated triglycerides despite statin treatment. This trial has led to guideline updates recommending EPA as an adjunct therapy for select patients at increased cardiovascular risk. However, not all studies have shown consistent benefit, particularly with mixed EPA/DHA formulations, and the benefit appears most robust with purified EPA at higher doses.

In summary, EPA use for cardiovascular disease is supported by strong scientific evidence, especially for secondary prevention in high-risk individuals. Clinical guidelines and expert consensus now endorse its role, particularly given the positive findings from large-scale RCTs such as REDUCE-IT.

More about EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
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Other ingredients used for Cardiovascular Disease

7-hydroxymatairesinol (HMR)
acai berry
acetyl l-carnitine
ajoene
algal oil
alpha-carotene
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
amino acids
anchovies
anthocyanins
apple
arjun tree
astaxanthin
astragalus
basil
beet
berry flavor
bilberry
black garlic
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
bonito peptide
broccoli
calamari oil
campesterol
canola oil
capsaicinoids
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
chia seed
chokeberry
choline
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cryptoxanthin
curcumin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ethanol
fiber blend (proprietary)
fisetin
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
flaxseed
folate
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
gamma tocopherol
garlic bulb
genistein
ginger
ginseng
grape
onion
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
hawthorn
hesperetin
hesperidin
HMR lignan
krill oil
l-arginine
l-carnitine
l-carnosine
l-citrulline
l-glycine
l-taurine
lactobacillus reuteri
lignans
linoleic acid (LA)
luteolin
lycopene
mackerel
magnesium
marine lipid
matcha
motherwort
mustard seed
n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC)
nattokinase
nicotinamide riboside
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-6 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
orange
palmitoleic acid
pantethine
phenolic acids
phospholipids
phytosterols
pine bark
pineapple
plant sterols
policosanol
pollen
pomegranate
potassium
pyridoxal-5-phosphate (P-5-P)
pyrroloquinoline disodium salt
quercetin
raspberry
red yeast rice
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rhizome
rutin
sardines
secoisolariciresinol diglucoside
selenium
black ginger
sitostanol
soybean
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
sphaeranthus indicus
spinach
sterols
strawberry
sulforaphane glucosinolate
tocotrienols
tomato
trans-pterostilbene
trimethylglycine (TMG)
triphala
almond fruit
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin B
vitamin B12
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
vitamin E
vitamin K
watermelon
zinc
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)
red clover
jiaogulan
gastrodia
capsicum
commiphora
ferulic acid
chrysanthemum
cistanche
ganoderma
royal jelly
polyphenols
trace minerals
yerba mate
goji berry
amaranth
millet seed
herbal blend (proprietary)
algae
cocoa
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
cayenne pepper
soy isoflavones
15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)prop-2-enoic acid
5-methyltetrahydrofolate glucosamine
Alcohol
Arjuna
Animal Tissue
Arginine Creatine
Arginine nitrate
Ardisia
Apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Allicin
Antirrhinin
Avocado
Adrenergic amines
Acacetin
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
anthocyanidins
Ampelopsin
Asteracea
Alpha phytosterol
Acetylsalicylic acid
Algal protein
Acer Truncatum bunge
Arjunic Acid
Alliin
anthocyanosides
Argan nut oil
Apocynin
Arginine silicate
Arjunolic acid
Astragalin
Black Seed
Butylphthalide
Bidens pilosa
Beta-hydroxybutyrate
Brutieridin
Brassica
Bishop's Weed
Benfotiamine
Basidiomycota
Betanin
berry
Brazil nut
boysenberry
Bioflavonoids
Bee products
banana
Baicalin
Bassia scoparia
Chia seed
Caffeic Acid
Camellia sinensis
Carnosine
Calycosin
Camelina Oil
Cashew
Cyanidin
Citrus
Capsaicin
Catecholamine
Cowherb
Cruciferous
Curcumen
Chocolate
Curcuma
Calanus finmarchicus
C-Phycocyanin
Coumaric acid
Crocetin
Currant
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Diallyl sulfide
Danshen
Delphinidin
Date
Digitalis
Diosmetin
epicatechin
E-Viniferin
Ellagic Acid
Eriocitrin
Eupolyphaga sinensis
Ergothioneine
Emblicanin
Eicosatetraenoic acid
Erythrodiol
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Eucommia ulmoides
Ellagitannin
Folic Acid
Fiber
Flavonoids
Flavonones
Garlic
Glycine
Isoflavones
peanut
Pistachio
Soy Protein
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