鮮為人知的DPA OMEGA-3 脂肪酸

DPA background and advantages

Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) is one of several long-chain omega-3 fatty acids found in cold water fatty fish. Although its content is lower than its more famous cousins ​​(EPA and DHA), it seems to have many unique characteristics worthy of attention.

The purpose of DPA

Supporting healthy blood clotting is one of the most common reasons for taking DPA. It is also commonly used to support healthy inflammation management and blood vessel function.

Heart protection

Although several fish oil studies have shown that omega-3 supplementation has little effect on cardiovascular results, it may be too early to conclude that considering that the oils used in the research are mainly concentrated in EPA and DHA, and DPA only appeared after the fact.

Higher concentrations of DPA have been shown to actively resolve arterial inflammation, reduce platelet viscosity, lower cholesterol and triglycerides, and reduce the risk of atherosclerosis.

The most abundant dietary source of DPA is oil from bearded seals, which contains 5.6 grams of DPA per 100 grams. Some researchers believe this may be a factor in promoting the overall cardiovascular health of Greenland Intuits. Fatty fish such as herring and salmon are also high in DPA. Each 100 grams of raw salmon oil contains 393 mg of DPA. Atlantic mackerel and Florida mackerel (whose DPA content even exceeds EPA) provide more than 200 mg of DPA per 100 g portion. Small fin tuna is also another good source of DPA.

Laboratory studies have shown that DPA and EPA are easily converted into each other in the liver, so DPA is the precursor of EPA. However, none of these fatty acids seem to be metabolized into docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is another important omega-3 fatty acid. DPA is also found in many other tissues, especially the heart, kidneys, and skeletal muscle. DPA has many functions in the human body, mainly related to blood health and cell proliferation.

Brain health

Higher DPA levels are related to improved cognitive function. Omega-3 fats account for a large part of brain capacity. In fact, chronic omega-3 deficiency can cause brain atrophy.

Since many cognitive dysfunctions (dementia, Alzheimer's disease, mood disorders, ADD/ADHD) have been shown to have an inflammatory component, it makes sense that these essential fats play a role in solving these difficulties.

Digestive health

When present in the diet, DPA can be used to resolve intestinal inflammation. Improving the condition of the intestinal lining (epithelial) can reduce the risk of food allergies and malabsorption.

Improve metabolism

DPA encourages the body to use fat for energy, a process called thermogenesis. Oxidizing fat into energy helps control weight and helps maintain a more stable blood sugar level. DPA itself is not used as an energy source, so it is more stable than EPA and DHA.

Omega-3 fatty acids are also important for normal cell membrane function and can transfer waste and nutrients more efficiently at the cellular level. The more efficient our cells become, the higher our resting metabolic rate. This is important for weight management because our metabolism slows down over time, and our dietary intake rarely decreases at the same rate, which makes us vulnerable to the terrible “middle-age transmission” .

Given that DPA appears to have greater anti-inflammatory potential than EPA or DHA, it is not surprising that drugs are currently being developed to treat a variety of diseases, including elevated triglycerides, chronic inflammation, and cancer.

Although eating fatty fish in cold water may be an ideal way to increase DPA intake, not everyone tends to increase fish intake. Fortunately, if there is no fish on the menu, there is no need to wait for prescription drugs to start reaping the benefits of DPA.

Signs that you may need DPA

Perhaps the most important sign that you need DPA is the condition that restricts your dietary intake of DPA. This mainly includes strict vegetarians and bottle-fed babies. If your diet does not include fish, you may also benefit from DPA. Signs of DPA deficiency include high clotting rate and poor healing.

Review

All comments are moderated before being published

HealthyPIG Magazine

View all
牛骨湯食譜大全|Instant Pot 壓力煲 & 傳統老火湯版本

牛骨湯食譜大全|Instant Pot 壓力煲 & 傳統老火湯版本

牛骨湯食譜係香港家庭常見嘅煲湯之一,牛骨湯香濃滋補,配合中藥材更具養生功效。本文介紹肉骨類選擇、牛骨湯建議配搭、常見中藥材分類,以及Instant Pot壓力煲與傳統老火湯版本食譜,並引用科學研究支持。
澳洲飲用水發現「食腦變形蟲」:全球風險與地區對策(含各國/各州實用指南)

澳洲飲用水發現「食腦變形蟲」:全球風險與地區對策(含各國/各州實用指南)

澳洲飲用水發現「食腦變形蟲」:全球風險與地區對策(含各國/各州實用指南) 澳洲飲用水發現「食腦變形蟲」:全球風險與地區對策(含各國/各州實用指南) 重點:事件本身不代表飲水會感染;主要風險來自水經鼻腔進入。 目錄 ...
如何判斷雞翅是否變壞?

如何判斷雞翅是否變壞?

重點摘要 雞翅會變質嗎? 如何判斷雞翅是否變壞? 過期雞翅還能食嗎? 雞翅可存放多久? 如何儲存雞翅? 雞翅可以冷凍嗎? 結論 雞翅會變質嗎? 會。皮脂較多、表面不潔或溫度過高時,細菌繁殖更快。 如何判斷雞翅是否變壞? 外觀:皮色發黃、出黑斑或血水。 觸感:表面黏滑、軟爛。 氣...
如何判斷雞蛋是否變壞?

如何判斷雞蛋是否變壞?

重點摘要 雞蛋會變質嗎? 如何判斷雞蛋是否變壞? 過期雞蛋還能食嗎? 雞蛋可存放多久? 如何儲存雞蛋? 雞蛋可以冷凍嗎? 結論 雞蛋會變質嗎? 會。殼面有微孔,溫差及濕度變化會令細菌入侵。 如何判斷雞蛋是否變壞? 水測:沉底=較新鮮;浮起=多半變壞。 打開觀察:蛋白渾濁水樣、蛋黃...
如何判斷羊肉是否變壞?

如何判斷羊肉是否變壞?

重點摘要 羊肉會變質嗎? 如何判斷羊肉是否變壞? 過期羊肉還能食嗎? 羊肉可存放多久? 如何儲存羊肉? 羊肉可以冷凍嗎? 結論 羊肉會變質嗎? 會。脂肪多而易氧化,處理或存放唔好就會變壞。 如何判斷羊肉是否變壞? 顏色:紅轉黑,或出現綠斑。 脂肪:由白轉黃兼有酸味。 氣味:由輕...
如何判斷豬肉是否變壞?

如何判斷豬肉是否變壞?

重點摘要 豬肉會變質嗎? 如何判斷豬肉是否變壞? 過期豬肉還能食嗎? 豬肉可存放多久? 如何儲存豬肉? 豬肉可以冷凍嗎? 結論 豬肉會變質嗎? 會。豬肉表面水活度高,加上處理不潔或溫度過高,容易腐敗。 如何判斷豬肉是否變壞? 顏色:粉紅轉灰、發綠或出斑。 氣味:酸臭、腥臭味濃 ...
如何判斷牛肉是否變壞?

如何判斷牛肉是否變壞?

重點摘要 牛肉會變質嗎? 如何判斷牛肉是否變壞? 過期牛肉還能食嗎? 牛肉可存放多久? 如何儲存牛肉? 牛肉可以冷凍嗎? 結論 牛肉會變質嗎? 會。牛肉含高蛋白同水分,若溫度控制或衛生不當,細菌會快速繁殖,導致變壞。 如何判斷牛肉是否變壞? 顏色:鮮紅轉深褐甚至發黑;脂肪變黃。 ...
成年後懷疑自己有注意力不足過動症(ADHD),應該接受診斷嗎?

成年後懷疑自己有注意力不足過動症(ADHD),應該接受診斷嗎?

在過去,注意力不足過動症(Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD)多被視為「小孩的病」,很多成年人小時候從未被評估或診斷。直到近年社會對心理健康重視度提升,許多成人才開始懷疑,自己長期以來的專注困難、健忘、衝動或時間管理不良,可能與 ADHD 有關。這種「晚發現」的情況相當普遍,也引發了問題:成年後是否值得接受 ADHD 診斷?

哪些職業對健康影響最大?科學與現實的分析

哪些職業對健康影響最大?科學與現實的分析

在現代社會中,工作佔據了人們生命中相當大的一部分。然而,不同職業對健康的風險並不相同。一些工作性質或環境,會顯著增加慢性病、心理壓力、甚至縮短壽命的風險。以下從科學研究與醫學角度,探討幾類對健康損害較大的職業,並附上相關統計數據。