We often hear about the health benefits of fish oil: enhanced cognitive performance, improved heart and blood health, potent anti-inflammatory activity, etc. Not all fish oils, however, will have the same physiological effects. Outside the realm of possible contamination, product rancidity, or even total fish oil content, the supplements levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)—the omega-3 fatty acids primarily responsible for fish oil’s medicinal effects—are often overlooked. These molecules share similar chemical structures, and accordingly, share some similarities in their biological roles. Nevertheless, their structural differences give each molecule the unique ability to influence different biological systems.Higher EPA plus DHA concentrations will necessarily provide greater benefits. But what is the key to tailoring a fish oil supplement to your needs? The answer is simple: check for the supplement’s ratio of EPA to DHA.In this article, we will review...
