Eicosapentaenoic Acid ($text{EPA}$) is a vital long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid ($text{PUFA}$) recognized for its potent anti-inflammatory and cardiovascular benefits. As an essential fatty acid, it must be obtained through diet or supplementation, and it serves as a critical substrate for the production of specialized lipid mediators. It is a cornerstone of nutritional support for systemic health and longevity.
Origin
The name is derived from its chemical structure: ‘eicosa’ denotes a twenty-carbon chain, and ‘pentaenoic’ signifies the presence of five double bonds. It is naturally abundant in marine sources, particularly cold-water fatty fish, which is reflected in its common dietary recommendations.
Mechanism
$text{EPA}$ exerts its anti-inflammatory effects by competing with arachidonic acid ($text{AA}$) for the cyclooxygenase ($text{COX}$) and lipoxygenase ($text{LOX}$) enzymes. This competition leads to the synthesis of less inflammatory eicosanoids, such as the 3-series prostaglandins, in place of the highly inflammatory 2-series. Furthermore, $text{EPA}$ is metabolized into resolvins and protectins, which are specialized pro-resolving mediators ($text{SPMs}$) that actively promote the resolution of chronic inflammation.
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