Evidence supporting the use of: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
For the health condition: Hypertension
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 3
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid found primarily in fatty fish and fish oil supplements, has been studied for its potential benefits in cardiovascular health, including the management of hypertension. Scientific evidence suggests that EPA, often in combination with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), can have modest blood pressure-lowering effects. Meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials have shown that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids can reduce both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, particularly in individuals with untreated hypertension or those with higher baseline blood pressure. The likely mechanisms include EPA’s ability to improve endothelial function, reduce inflammation, decrease vascular resistance, and modulate the production of vasodilatory eicosanoids.
However, the magnitude of the effect is generally small—on the order of 2–4 mmHg for systolic blood pressure. The American Heart Association recognizes omega-3 fatty acids as part of a heart-healthy diet, but they do not recommend omega-3 supplements as a primary therapy for hypertension due to these modest effects. Most clinical trials use combined EPA and DHA, making it difficult to isolate the effect of EPA alone. Nonetheless, pure EPA formulations (such as icosapent ethyl) have demonstrated cardiovascular benefits in large clinical trials, although their specific effects on blood pressure are less clear.
In summary, there is scientific evidence supporting the use of EPA (and omega-3s in general) for mild blood pressure reduction, but the effect size is modest and supplementation should not replace standard antihypertensive therapy.
More about EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
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acai berryalfalfa
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
anthocyanins
arjun tree
ashwagandha
asparagus
astaxanthin
astragalus
banaba
barley
beet
berberine
bergamot
berry flavor
beta caryophyllene
Beta-Glucan
bilberry
black cumin
black currant
black garlic
radish
sesame
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
bonito peptide
broccoli
rice
brussel sprouts
bupleurum falcatum
calcium
canola oil
cat's claw
catechins
caterpillar mushroom
catjang cowpea
cauliflower
celery
cherry
chia seed
Chinese salvia root
chlorella
chokeberry
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
coleus forskohlii
collard
cucumber
daidzin
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
melon
eleuthero
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
fish oil
fish protein
flaxseed
forskohlii root
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
gooseberry
gotu kola
grape
green tea
greens blend (proprietary)
hawthorn
hesperetin
hesperidin
hibiscus
jujube
kale
kudzu
l-arginine
l-citrulline
l-taurine
lactium casein decapeptide
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus helveticus
lentinula edodes mycelia
linoleic acid (LA)
luteolin
lycopene
mackerel
magnesium
maitake mushroom
mango
marine lipid
matcha
melatonin
moringa
motherwort
naringin
nattokinase
nettle
oat
okra
oleanolic acid
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
ophiopogon root
orange
oyster mushroom
pantethine
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pine bark
plum fruit
pomegranate
pomelo
potassium
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
psyllium
quail egg
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quinoa
red yeast rice
redcurrant
rehmannia glutinosa
reishi mushroom
resveratrol
rutin
rye
safflower oil
saffron
sardines
shiitake mushroom
black ginger
soybean
spinach
spirulina
stevia
strawberry
tocotrienols
tomato
almond fruit
ubiquinol
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vegetable blend (proprietary)
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
seaweed
watermelon
mulberry
jiaogulan
capsicum
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tinospora cordifolia
blackboard tree
lingzhi
morus
sunflower
ferulic acid
chrysanthemum
cistanche
dioscorea
eucommia
ganoderma
lotus seed
purslane
coix
noni
goji berry
amaranth
millet seed
algae
kidney beans
cocoa
chickpea protein
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
soy isoflavones
ashitaba
soursop
Arugula
Arjuna
Apigenin
Aronia melanocarpa
Allicin
Auricularia
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Avocado
Ascophyllum nodosum
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Astragaloside
anthocyanidins
Adzuki bean
Ampelopsin
Algal protein
Arjunic Acid
Alliin
anthocyanosides
Alisma
Argan nut oil
Arginine silicate
Arjunolic acid
Astragalin
Black Seed
Broussonetia
Brutieridin
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Brown Algae
Brassica
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banana
Baicalin
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Bassia scoparia
Bignay
Bottle gourd
Chia seed
Caffeic Acid
Camellia sinensis
Chinese Silkvine
Cowpea
California chia
Cyanobacteria
Catalpol
Cod Liver Oil
Chive
chlorogenic acid
Chinese Fleeceflower
Cantaloupe
Chlorophytum
Cruciferous
Cyclanthera pedata
Capers
Coconut Water
Chocolate
Chinese Ligustrum berry
C-Phycocyanin
Cha de bugre
Cherimoya
Crocetin
Carambola
Cassava
Clerodendrum indicum
Currant
Danshen
Daidzein
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Date
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Eriocitrin
eggplant
Emblicanin
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Eucommia ulmoides
Ecklonia
Fig
Fiber
Flavonones
Flammulina velutipes
Glycine
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Lotus
Milk Protein
Mistletoe
Prickly Pear Cactus
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Soy Protein
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walnut
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Other health conditions supported by EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
Alzheimer's DiseaseAngina
Arrhythmia
Arteriosclerosis
Arthritis
Asthma
Autism
Bipolar Mood Disorder
Cancer (natural therapy for)
Cancer (prevention)
Cancer Treatment (reducing side effects)
Cardiovascular Disease
Cholesterol (high)
Circulation (poor)
Congestive Heart Failure
Depression
Diabetes
Dysmenorrhea
Endometriosis
Fatty Liver Disease
Hypertension
Inflammation
Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
Lupus
Memory and Brain Function
Migraine
Osteoporosis
Parkinson's Disease
Peripheral Neuropathy
PMS (general)
Psoriasis
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Stress
Strokes
Triglycerides (high)
Wounds and Sores
Products containing EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
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Omega Superb Lemon Berry
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OmegaGenics Algae EPA-DHA 300 mg
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OmegaGenics EPA DHA 2400 Fish Oil
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OmegaGenics EPA-DHA 300 Lemon Lime
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OmegaGenics Fish Oil
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OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA 1200 mg
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OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 1000 mg
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OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 1000 mg
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OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 500 mg
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OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 500 mg
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OmegaGenics Fish Oil EPA-DHA 720 mg
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