EPA DHA Ratio

What is EPA and DHA in Fish Oil?

Docosahexaenoic acid, better known cervonic acid, or simply DHA, is an omega-3 essential fatty acid. Chemically, it is a carboxylic acid which is found in fish oil. DHA is metabolized to form metabolites known as docosanoids, which comprise several families of potent hormones. DHA is a major fatty acid that is present in sperms and brain phospholipids, also in the retina. Eicosapentaenoic acid on the other hand is also an omega-3 fatty acid, which is also known as icosapentaenoic acid or EPA. It is a polyunsaturated fatty acid. This fatty acid is obtained from consuming fish or fish oil, who in turn get it from algae. Before we go on to the EPA DHA ratio, let us try to understand why these two acids are so important for the human body.

DHA and EPA both are very important for normal functioning of human cells. DHA and EPA enter the membranes of cells where they then help cells work and grow properly. DHA and EPA help with many regular cellular processes, like normal development of neurons and their functioning, cell to cell communication, regulation of inflammatory responses in the body and in short, ensuring the electrical stability and metabolism rate in the body. Furthermore, EPA DHA and pregnancy are also closely related, as these acids lower the risk of developing high blood pressure during pregnancy.

Best DHA EPA Ratio

Firstly, one needs to know that there is no final and ideal EPA to DHA ratio. Although the Physicians for Optimal Heart and Brain Health claim that an EPA DHA ratio of 40/20 is recommended, it really depends on the needs of the body. There are certain conditions where a person may require more of EPA in the body and there are certain conditions where the person may require more DHA. Hence, the required EPA DHA amount will vary depending on the need of the body. However, research has shown that fish oil and fish oil supplements that are high in DHA and relatively low in EPA had a tendency to lower the inflammatory cytokines in the body, such as IL-6 and IL-1β. These are the cytokines that are associated with neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases in humans. Furthermore, it has been seen that the brain normally contains very high amounts of DHA but practically no EPA. Furthermore, there are certain neurological conditions that are associated with very low levels of DHA in the body. These include dementia, Alzheimer's disease, bipolarity disorders, etc.

Thus, if you are taking omega-3 fatty acid capsules to complement your diet as a daily measure to meet the requirements of the body, then an EPA DHA ratio of 1.5:1 can be acceptable. However, if you are taking the supplements to prevent the aggravation of autoimmune diseases, then a ratio of 4.5:1 will be helpful. If a person is suffering from certain mental conditions and hence needs to take supplements for that purpose, then a DHA EPA ratio of 1:5 is favorable. These are obviously only average figures and one should decide the dosage and ratio required based on several tests and on a prescription by a health care provider.

Interestingly, it has been found that EPA is a precursor to DHA. This is the reason why ensuring a sufficient level of EPA on a diet containing neither EPA nor DHA is harder for absorption because of the extra metabolic work required to synthesize EPA and because of the use of EPA to metabolize DHA. There are also certain medical conditions, like diabetes or certain allergies that may significantly limit the body's capacity for metabolizing EPA from alpha linoleic acid.

This was all about the ratio of EPA/DHA and the significance of these omega-3 fatty acids in the body. In the end, one needs to make sure that they are taking the right amount of EPA and DHA in the diet, so as to ensure that they derive maximum benefit from both these acids.