EPA
From Wikiwel
EPA, also known as Eicosapentaenoic Acid, is an oil obtained primarily from cold-water fish. According to Whole Foods Magazine, EPA's popularity is due to research conducted in the 1970s by Danish physician Dr. Jorn Dyerberg on the association between fish oil intake and low incidence of coronary heart disease in Eskimos in Northwest Greenland.
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Special Precautions of EPA
Although EPA oil is now widely available in supplement form, and most people see benefits from its use, it carries the risk of several physical side effects.
- Respiratory Problems : Although EPA is used to treat asthma, it can also cause respiratory difficulties in some individuals, notes PDRHealth.com. Specifically, complications can include such breathing problems as asthma, bronchitis, cough, dyspnea, epistaxis, laryngitis, pharyngitis, pneumonia, rhinitis, and sinusitis, according to drugs.com. Some of these side effects are related to allergic reactions in some individuals, particularly those who are allergic to seafood.
- Indigestion : According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), individuals using high doses of EPA may experience gastrointestinal upset. Additional side effects include a fishy aftertaste, burping, acid reflux / heartburn / indigestion, abdominal bloating, abdominal pain and loose stools. Individuals may also experience diarrhea, which can be severe when taking high doses of EPA, warns NIH.
- Bleeding : While EPA is used for blood clotting, hypertension, and to prevent heart disease and stroke, high doses may cause bleeding irregularities, warns the Mayo Clinic. Individuals may also experience bruising or nosebleeds when taking high doses, cautions PDRHealth.com. Since EPA is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, which can lower blood pressure, individuals with low blood pressure or on hypotensive medications may be at risk fo blood pressure changes, NIH points out.
- Contamination : Environmental pollution can lead to contamination of fish with extremely toxic substances, such as dioxins or methylmercury. As a result, some EPA supplements are of considerable risk for use in pregnant or nursing women and small children, notes the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Individuals with reduced immunity may also wish to consult a health care provider before using the oil for therapeutic purposes.
The benefits of EPA are
- decreased risk of heart disease
- lower blood pressure
- improvement in rheumatoid arthritis
- prevention of macular degeneration
- reduced risk of type 2 diabetes
- fish oil consumption is beneficial for patients with depression, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's disease
- development of an infant's brain and visual acuity
- May help search and destroy leukemia
