Benefits of Omega-3

Evidence-Based Benefits

• Cardiovascular protection — the REDUCE-IT trial (n=8,179) found 4g/day of icosapent ethyl (pure EPA) reduced major cardiovascular events by 25% compared to placebo
• Anti-inflammatory effects — EPA and DHA are precursors to resolvins and protectins, which actively resolve inflammation; a 2017 meta-analysis found omega-3 supplementation reduced CRP levels significantly
• Brain health and cognition — DHA comprises 40% of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the brain; higher omega-3 intake is associated with 26% reduced risk of dementia in observational studies
• Depression and mood — a 2019 meta-analysis of 26 RCTs (n=2,160) found EPA-predominant formulas significantly reduced depression symptoms, with an effect size of 0.50
• Joint health — 2,000-3,000mg EPA+DHA daily reduced morning stiffness and joint pain in rheumatoid arthritis patients comparable to NSAIDs in a 2017 systematic review

What the Research Says

Omega-3 fatty acids have an extensive evidence base spanning cardiovascular, neurological, and inflammatory conditions. The landmark REDUCE-IT trial (2019, NEJM, n=8,179) demonstrated that 4g/day of pure EPA reduced major adverse cardiovascular events by 25%. For mental health, a 2019 meta-analysis by Liao et al. in Translational Psychiatry confirmed that EPA-predominant formulas significantly reduce depressive symptoms. The relationship between DHA and brain structure is well-established, with DHA comprising a significant portion of brain fatty acids and declining with age.

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