EPA

Essential omega-3 fatty acid with potent anti-inflammatory properties, critical for cardiovascular health, brain function, and immune system regulation

Scientific nameEicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5 n-3) FormulaC20H30O2 Molecular weight302.45 g/mol CAS10417-94-4

90 absorption score

9 safety / 10

45 USD per month

6 documented interactions

Check it against something

Evidence level A

EPA with:

94 out of 100

Works better together Take together — same timing window amplifies the synergy.

Check it against your whole stack →

What it does

mechanism and evidence for each claim

Cardiovascular health and heart protection

Supports healthy heart rhythm, blood pressure, and reduces cardiovascular disease risk

Reduces inflammatory markers, improves endothelial function, and supports healthy lipid profiles Evidence A-grade 4-12 weeks for cardiovascular benefits

Powerful anti-inflammatory effects

Reduces systemic inflammation and inflammatory markers throughout the body

Produces specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) that actively resolve inflammation Evidence A-grade 2-8 weeks for anti-inflammatory effects

Brain health and cognitive function

Supports cognitive performance, memory, and neurological health

Maintains neuronal membrane fluidity and supports neurotransmitter function Evidence A-grade 6-12 weeks for cognitive benefits

Mood support and mental wellness

May help support healthy mood and reduce symptoms of depression

Influences neurotransmitter production and reduces neuroinflammation Evidence A-grade 4-8 weeks for mood benefits

Joint health and mobility

Reduces joint inflammation and supports healthy joint function

Inhibits inflammatory cytokines and supports cartilage health Evidence B-grade 6-12 weeks for joint benefits

Others take these for the same thing

Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) Heart health & cellular energy 100-200mg A 10% Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) Heart & brain health 1-2g EPA/DHA A 85% Psyllium Husk Digestive health & cholesterol support 5-15g A 95% Calcium Citrate Superior absorption bone & heart health 500-1200 mg A 45% Taurine Cardiovascular & exercise support 1-3g A 95% L-Citrulline Athletic performance & circulation 3-8g A 95%

Every pair we checked

12 combinations scored by the engine

EPA + CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) High omega-6 intake reduces EPA effectiveness Needs attention 58

EPA + Caffeine No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

EPA + Creatine Monohydrate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

EPA + Calcium Carbonate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

EPA + Whey Protein No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

EPA + Lactase No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

EPA + Bovine Collagen No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

EPA + Turmeric No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

EPA + Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70

EPA + Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) Enhanced cardiovascular protection and antioxidant effects Works better together 78

EPA + Vitamin D3 Prevents oxidation of EPA and enhances stability Works better together 82

EPA + DHA Complementary omega-3 benefits for brain and heart health Works better together 94

Dosage

With meals for absorption

Daily1,000-2,000 mg

Maintenance cardiovascular1,000-1,500 mg daily

Therapeutic inflammation1,500-3,000 mg daily

Mood support1,000-2,000 mg daily

Cognitive enhancement1,000-1,500 mg daily

When to expect it

First Effects2-4 weeks for initial anti-inflammatory benefits

Peak Benefits8-12 weeks for maximum cardiovascular and cognitive effects

Deficiency DevelopmentModern diets low in fish create widespread EPA deficiency

Toxicity OnsetGenerally safe - monitor for bleeding with very high doses

How to measure it

$150-300

MarkerOmega-3 index, EPA/AA ratio, inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6)

OptimalOmega-3 index >8%, EPA/AA ratio >0.5, low inflammatory markers

Deficient belowOmega-3 index <4%, EPA/AA ratio <0.2, elevated inflammation

FrequencyMonitor every 3-6 months during supplementation

What people actually reported to the FDA

CAERS, 557 reports naming it as the suspect

Most reported effects

Dyspnoea 68

Diarrhoea 52

Nausea 48

Dizziness 41

Hypersensitivity 36

Excluded from the list above: choking (38). Those are people struggling with the tablet itself, not with the compound.

Named as the suspect 557 reports of 1,000+ that mention it at all

Serious outcome 83% hospitalisation, emergency room or worse

Other Serious or Important Medical Event360

Hospitalization174

Visited a Health Care Provider117

Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →

What actually reaches you

The label counts the carrier, your body does not

Absorption Very high 90 of 100 · best absorbed form of this compound

Delivered daily 1350 mg

Cost per 100 mg delivered $0.11 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage

Works better with

3 documented

Dha

Complementary omega-3 benefits for brain and heart health

DHA and EPA work synergistically for optimal omega-3 benefits · level A

Vitamin E

Prevents oxidation of EPA and enhances stability

Vitamin E acts as antioxidant protecting omega-3 fatty acids · level A

Coq10

Enhanced cardiovascular protection and antioxidant effects

Complementary cardioprotective mechanisms · level B

What not to take with EPA

3 documented

Omega 6 Excess

High omega-6 intake reduces EPA effectiveness

Competes for same enzymes and promotes inflammation · high significance

Trans Fats

Trans fats interfere with omega-3 metabolism

Disrupts fatty acid metabolism and membrane function · high significance

Oxidized Oils

Damaged oils counteract anti-inflammatory effects

Oxidized oils promote inflammation and oxidative stress · moderate significance

Medication interactions

Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining

anticoagulants Moderate

May enhance blood-thinning effects

What to do: Monitor INR and bleeding time carefully

blood-pressure-medications Minor

May enhance blood pressure lowering effects

What to do: Monitor blood pressure regularly

Available forms

bioavailability compared

Ranks 2 of 5 among omega forms. Krill Oil absorbs better — 95%. Compare all forms →

EPA triglyceride form (natural) 90

EPA triglyceride form (natural): Superior absorption, Natural form, Better stability, Proven effectiveness

Food sources

before you supplement

Wild-caught salmon 1,200-1,800 mg EPA per 3.5 oz serving · 85

Sardines 800-1,200 mg EPA per 3.5 oz serving · 85

Mackerel 900-1,500 mg EPA per 3.5 oz serving · 85

EPA supplements (triglyceride form) 500-1,000 mg EPA per capsule · 90

Too little

deficiency signs

Omega-3 deficiency symptoms:
Increased cardiovascular disease risk and inflammation
Mood disorders including depression and anxiety
Cognitive decline and poor memory function
Joint pain and stiffness from inflammation
Dry skin and poor wound healing
Compromised immune function and frequent infections

Too much

toxicity signs

Generally safe with potential for mild adverse effects:
Increased bleeding risk with very high doses
Digestive discomfort including nausea and fishy burps
Drug interactions with anticoagulants and blood pressure medications
Safe for long-term use at appropriate doses

Who benefits most

cardiovascular-health-seekers

Essential for heart health and reducing cardiovascular disease risk

1,000-2,000 mg daily

inflammatory-conditions

Powerful anti-inflammatory effects for chronic inflammation

1,500-3,000 mg daily

mood-support-seekers

Strong evidence for mood support and depression management

1,000-2,000 mg daily

cognitive-health-seekers

Supports brain function and cognitive performance

1,000-1,500 mg daily

joint-health-seekers

Reduces joint inflammation and supports mobility

1,500-2,500 mg daily

Where to buy it

compare forms first

Look for EPA at 1,000-2,000 mg per serving. The form that matters here is EPA triglyceride form (natural).

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What else affects it

Beyond other supplements

Trans fats

Trans fats interfere with omega-3 metabolism

Disrupts fatty acid metabolism and membrane function

Oxidized oils

Damaged oils counteract anti-inflammatory effects

Oxidized oils promote inflammation and oxidative stress

How it works

Produces specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs) that actively resolve inflammation
Competes with arachidonic acid for cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase enzymes
Incorporates into cell membranes affecting membrane fluidity and function
Reduces production of inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins
Supports endothelial function and healthy blood vessel dilation
Influences neurotransmitter production and neuronal signaling

Key findings

what the evidence supports

Strong evidence for cardiovascular disease prevention
Proven effectiveness for reducing inflammatory markers
Significant benefits for mood disorders and depression
Excellent safety profile with minimal adverse effects

Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02

Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →

Common questions

What are the benefits of EPA?

Documented effects: Cardiovascular health and heart protection; Powerful anti-inflammatory effects; Brain health and cognitive function; Mood support and mental wellness. Supports healthy heart rhythm, blood pressure, and reduces cardiovascular disease risk

How much EPA should you take per day?

The common daily range is 1,000-2,000 mg. By goal — maintenance cardiovascular: 1,000-1,500 mg daily; therapeutic inflammation: 1,500-3,000 mg daily; mood support: 1,000-2,000 mg daily; cognitive enhancement: 1,000-1,500 mg daily.

When is the best time to take EPA?

With meals for absorption. First effects are typically reported within 2-4 weeks for initial anti-inflammatory benefits.

What are the side effects of EPA?

At excessive doses: Generally safe with potential for mild adverse effects:, Increased bleeding risk with very high doses, Digestive discomfort including nausea and fishy burps, Drug interactions with anticoagulants and blood pressure medications, Safe for long-term use at appropriate doses. Safety rating at normal doses is 9 out of 10.

What should you not take with EPA?

Separate it from Omega 6 Excess, Trans Fats, Oxidized Oils by two to four hours. High omega-6 intake reduces EPA effectiveness

Does EPA interact with medications?

Documented interactions with anticoagulants, blood-pressure-medications. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.

How do you know if you need EPA?

The marker is Omega-3 index, EPA/AA ratio, inflammatory markers (CRP, IL-6), optimal range Omega-3 index >8%, EPA/AA ratio >0.5, low inflammatory markers. Common deficiency signs: Omega-3 deficiency symptoms:, Increased cardiovascular disease risk and inflammation, Mood disorders including depression and anxiety, Cognitive decline and poor memory function.

Taken for

52 Heart

Fish Oil (EPA/DHA) · EPA · Olive Oil Extract