Evidence supporting the use of: Eicosapentaenoic acid
For the health condition: Rheumatoid Arthritis

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Synopsis

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

Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) is an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid primarily found in fish oil. Its use in supporting or treating rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is backed by scientific evidence, though the effect size is moderate. Numerous randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses have evaluated the efficacy of EPA (often combined with docosahexaenoic acid, DHA) in reducing disease activity and symptoms in RA patients. The proposed mechanism involves EPA’s anti-inflammatory properties: it serves as a precursor to anti-inflammatory eicosanoids and reduces production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and mediators such as leukotriene B4. Clinical studies suggest that supplementation with EPA can lead to a modest reduction in joint pain, morning stiffness, and the need for non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). A 2012 Cochrane review concluded that fish oil supplementation in RA provides statistically significant, though clinically modest, benefits in joint pain and duration of morning stiffness. The American College of Rheumatology notes omega-3 supplementation as a possible adjunct therapy. However, EPA is not a substitute for disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) but may be used as a supportive therapy. Most benefits are observed at higher daily doses (e.g., ≥2.7 g EPA/DHA combined). Side effects are generally mild and include gastrointestinal discomfort. In summary, the use of EPA in RA is scientifically validated as an adjunct, with moderate evidence supporting its modest benefits in symptom management.

More about eicosapentaenoic acid
More about Rheumatoid Arthritis

Other ingredients used for Rheumatoid Arthritis

15,16-Dihydrotanshinone I
Abies spectabilis
Abrus
Actaea spicata
adrenal cortex
Akebia
Alfalfa
algal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
alpha-lipoic acid
alpha-pinene
alpinia galangal
amber
amentoflavone
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
ampelopsin
andrographolide
anthocyanidins
anthocyanins
antler
apigenin
apocynin
Aralia
arctiin
arjunic acid
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
astragalin
baicalein
baicalin
barbasco
bee venom
Bergenia
Black Hellebore
Black willow
bogbean
borage oil
Boswellia
Boswellic Acid
bovine cartilage / glycosaminoglycan
C-phycocyanin
cannabidiol
carnosic acid
celery
Cetylated Fatty Acids
Chinese fleeceflower
Chinese pond turtle
chuchuhuasi
clematis
Clerodendrum phlomidis
cod liver oil
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
cortisol
curcumin
cyanidin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
Dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid
docosahexaenoic Acid
dong quai root
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
eicosapentaenoic acid
Eicosatetraenoic acid
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
evening primrose oil
evening primrose oil
fat liver oil
fisetin
fish protein
flavanols
flavones
Flemingia philippinensis
frankincense
fructoborate
Fumaria parviflora
gamma linolenic acid (GLA)
gamma tocopherol
genistein
Gentiana macrophylla
ginger
ginkgetin
green-lipped mussel
guelder rose
Gypenoside
Harpagoside
Hellebore
horse gram
hydroxytyrosol
Hyperoside
Jatropha macrantha
Kaempferol
krill oil
luteolin
madder
mangiferin
Marine fat
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
Myricetin
Myristoleate
Nobiletin
omega-3 fatty acids
Osthole
Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA)
Phaeophyceae
phospholipids
Piper chaba
Polydatin
polyunsaturated fat
proteoglycans
Puerarin
Qin Jiao
resveratrol
rose hips
Salicin
Salmon Oil
Salvianolic acid
saponins
Schizochytrium
Schizochytrium Oil
Semecarpus anacardium
Shilajit
Silkmoth
Sinomenium acutum
slippery elm bark
smilax
Stearidonic acid
Sulforaphane
sulforaphane glucosinolate
Szechuan lovage
Tanshinone
Taxillus chinensis
teasel
turmeric
Uncaria
Urolithin A
Ursolic Acid
vitamin B6
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Watercress
white willow
Withanolides

Products containing eicosapentaenoic acid

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.