fish oil enriched with eicosapentaenoic acid

Fish oil enriched with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is a formulation of fish oil in which the concentration of the omega-3 fatty acid EPA is significantly higher than in standard fish oil preparations. EPA-enriched fish oil is used primarily as a **dietary supplement** and has also been studied in pharmaceutical preparations for cardiovascular risk reduction and hypertriglyceridemia. The main mechanism involves EPA's ability to lower triglyceride levels, reduce risk of cardiovascular events, and exert anti-inflammatory effects. Fish oil enriched with EPA is different from pharmaceutical icosapent ethyl (which is pure ethyl-EPA) but may be sold as concentrated dietary supplements or as medical-grade nutrition. The product may vary by manufacturer but is typically obtained from cold-water fish oils, specifically processed to increase EPA content relative to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)[2][5]. EPA acts by multiple mechanisms, including inhibition of hepatic very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) synthesis/secretion and enhanced triglyceride clearance, reduction in platelet aggregation, modulation of inflammation, and altered membrane fatty acid composition[1][3][4].

Other names

fish oil EPA-enrichedEPA-enriched fish oil