Evidence supporting the use of: DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
For the health condition: Psoriasis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) is an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid found in fish oils and some plant sources. Its use in psoriasis is supported by a limited but growing body of scientific evidence, though it is less extensively studied than other omega-3s such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). The rationale for using DPA in the management of psoriasis stems from its anti-inflammatory properties. Psoriasis is characterized by chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation, and omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to modulate inflammatory pathways, particularly by decreasing the production of pro-inflammatory eicosanoids and cytokines. Several small studies and preclinical investigations suggest that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids can lead to an improvement in psoriasis severity and symptomatology. However, most of the existing research has focused on EPA and DHA rather than DPA specifically. Some in vitro and animal studies indicate that DPA can be converted into EPA or act directly to reduce inflammation, but robust clinical trials in humans with psoriasis are lacking. Due to this paucity of direct clinical evidence, the use of DPA for psoriasis is considered to have limited scientific validation. While mechanistically plausible and supported by indirect evidence, further research is needed to establish its efficacy in this context, especially in comparison to other better-studied omega-3 fatty acids.

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