In the composition of complex, biologically active food supplements, one can often find a mysterious component with the complex name "eicosapentaenoic acid". What it is? It is one of the omega-3 fatty acids found in cold water fish, including mackerel, herring, tuna, halibut, salmon, as well as cod liver, whale and seal oil.
Indications for use
This component is used to control unstable blood pressure during pregnancy, characterized by an increased risk of eclampsia, as well as to treat age-related changes in the cornea, heart failure, schizophrenia, personality disorders, cystic fibrosis, Alzheimer's disease, depression and diabetes.
Eicosapentaenoic acid is used in combination with docosahexaenoic acid in fish oil preparations to treat a wide variety of conditions. The extensive list includes pathologies of the cardiovascular system, asthma, cancer, menstrual irregularities,hot flashes, hay fever, lung disease, erythematous (erythematous) lupus, and kidney failure. The combination of vital omega-3 fatty acids also helps prevent adolescent headaches, skin infections, Behcet's syndrome, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, psoriasis, Raynaud's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, granulomatous enteritis and ulcerative colitis.
Combined with ribonucleic acid and l-arginine, this miracle drug can prevent post-surgery infection, speed up wound healing, and shorten post-surgery recovery.
Eicosapentaenoic acid should not be confused with docosahexaenoic acid and fish oil preparations containing both of the above substances. The main function of the analyzed drug is to prevent rapid blood clotting, as well as to relieve pain and swelling.
Most efficient
Although eicosapentaenoic acid and its properties have not yet been fully studied, experts recommend the use of the drug for the treatment of the following diseases and pathological conditions:
- Depression (when used simultaneously with traditional antidepressants).
- Open surgical wounds.
- Psoriasis.
- Emotionally unstable borderline personality disorder, affective changes. Medications and dietary supplements containing eicosapentaenoic acid reduce aggressiveness andrelieve symptoms of depression in women with these diagnoses.
- Ischemic heart disease. The use of omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and death in this disease. Prevention is especially effective in cases where the blockage of the heart arteries is complicated by high blood cholesterol levels. However, it should be remembered that the use of drugs of this type in no way affects the risks of sudden cardiac arrest, which occurs due to a violation of the electrical activity of the organ.
- Symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes (hot flashes).
Potential efficiency
According to the results of recent research, it can be concluded that eicosapentaenoic acid is a “vitamin” that can fight many diseases common in developed countries. The list includes:
- Prostate cancer. Scientists have concluded that elevated levels of eicosapentaenoic acid in the blood are directly related to minimizing the risk of prostate cancer.
- Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It is known that low levels of omega-3 fatty acids are observed in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, it is currently unknown whether eicosapentaenoic acid preparations can cure this pathology.
- Schizophrenia.
- Alzheimer's disease.
- Irregular menstruation, menopausal syndrome.
- Lung diseases.
- Lupus.
- Otherdiseases and pathological conditions.
Currently, extensive scientific research is being carried out, the object of which is not only omega-3 fatty acids in the complex, but also directly eicosapentaenoic acid. What is the “vitamin” found in fish oil and how can it be used for the benefit of medicine and human well-being? These questions are being answered by highly qualified doctors and scientists around the world.
Side effects
For most people, omega-3 fatty acids are completely harmless. However, each human body is unique, and therefore some patients may suffer from side effects resulting from the use of eicosapentaenoic acid preparations. These unwanted effects of therapy include:
- nausea;
- indigestion;
- heartburn;
- skin rash;
- itch;
- nosebleed;
- back pain;
- pain in muscles and joints.
Other side effects may occur if fish oil preparations containing eicosapentaenoic acid are used, including:
- appearance of the taste of fish in the mouth;
- burp;
- diarrhea;
- digestive disorders.
In order to mitigate and completely eliminate side effects, experts recommend eating omega-3 fatty acids with meals.
Possible danger
The use of this substance can become potentially harmful if the patient neglects medical instructions and does not follow the instructions for use of the drug, violating dosage rules and consuming more than three grams of eicosapentaenoic acid every day. An overdose may result in excessive blood thinning and an increased risk of bleeding.
Special Instructions
The risks of using omega-3 fatty acids in the form of dietary supplements during pregnancy and lactation have not yet been studied. Gynecologists, neonatologists and pediatricians strongly recommend refraining from eating excess eicosapentaenoic acid in order to avoid the development of fetal pathologies and pregnancy complications.
In case of hypersensitivity to aspirin, the substance in question should be used with extreme caution, since, in combination with intolerance to acetylsalicylic acid, it can cause breathing difficulties.
Eicosapentaenoic acid is often used for high blood pressure. The benefits of this drug are not in doubt, however, we must not forget that it is not recommended to use it simultaneously with any drugs that help lower blood pressure. Otherwise, the pressure may drop too quickly and cause fainting.
Dosage
Because eicosapentaenoic acid, the "vitamin" against depression, is most commonly found in fish oil,the typical dosage is five grams of the drug per day for an adult. This dose contains 169-563 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid and 72-312 mg of docosahexaenoic acid (depending on the specific agent and its purpose).
