The Power of DPA for the human body

Seal Oil is with mother’s milk one of the rare natural source of DPA. Although DPA, EPA and DHA work together to ensure the proper functioning of the human body, scientific research has shown that DPA has unique advantages.

Supports cardiovascular health
Enhances mental & cognitive health
Fights inflammation
Boosts immune system
Fetal & infant development

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Supports cardiovascular health
Enhances mental & cognitive health
Fights inflammation
Boosts immune system
Fetal & infant development

Shop Shop

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What is DPA?

Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) is an essential fatty acid, shown to reduce blood clotting aortic plaque build-up Kaur G, Cameron-Smith D, Garg M, Sinclair AJ. Docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3): a review of its biological effects. Prog Lipid Res. 2011 Jan;50(1):28-34. doi: 10.1016/j.plipres.2010.07.004. Epub 2010 Jul 23. PMID: 20655949., and inflammation, and improve neural health. It also interacts powerfully with DHA and EPA—two other key omega-3 essential fatty acids—enabling the body to better store, absorb, and use those crucial molecules.Byelashov, O. A., Sinclair, A. J., & Kaur, G. (2015). Dietary sources, current intakes, and nutritional role of omega-3 docosapentaenoic acid. Lipid technology, 27(4), 79–82. https://doi.org/10.1002/lite.201500013

To get technical for a moment, DPA is a straight chain 22:5 polyunsaturated fatty acid (22 carbons, 5 double-bonds). It is found in oily fish, seafood, and beef in small quantities. Seal oil and breast milk, however, are rich in DPA. And that’s one key advantage seal oil supplements have over fish oil.

DPA is so valuable, in fact, a scientific research suggests the historically low rate of heart disease among northern Inuit populations is a direct result of the consumption of seal meat and blubber.Byelashov, O. A., Sinclair, A. J., & Kaur, G. (2015). Dietary sources, current intakes, and nutritional role of omega-3 docosapentaenoic acid. Lipid technology, 27(4), 79–82. https://doi.org/10.1002/lite.201500013

DPA vs. DHA vs. EPA

While their chemical structures differ, DPA (Docosapentaenoic acid), EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) are all essential polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acids. They are termed essential because the human body needs them to function optimally—but the human body is not capable of producing sufficient amounts on its own. That means we have to access these nutrients through food or supplements.

These three omega-3 fatty acids work together to support the healthy functioning of our bodies, boosting heart health, joint health, brain health, and immune system function. As well, each has a specific role to play:

DPA

Repairs damaged vessels
Fights chronic inflammation
Improves lipid metabolism
Boosts absorption of EPA and DHA

DHA

Boosts brain function
Helps combat mood disorders
Improves ocular health
Important component of cell membrane structure

EPA

Supports cardiovascular health
Supports immune system function
Reduces joint inflammation
Lowers cholesterol

An Omega-3 that absorbs better

DPA, DHA, and EPA are assimilated and used differently by the body. A study by Mann et al. (2010) took a look at this. Participants were given seal oil, fish oil, or corn oil (placebo) for 14 days, at which point blood platelet levels were tested.
The research indicated that seal oil raised platelet levels of DHA, DPA, and EPA—fish oil only resulted in elevated DHA levels.Mann NJ, O’Connell SL, Baldwin KM, Singh I, Meyer BJ. Effects of seal oil and tuna-fish oil on platelet parameters and plasma lipid levels in healthy subjects. Lipids. 2010 Aug;45(8):669-81. doi: 10.1007/s11745-010-3450-z. Epub 2010 Jul 23. PMID: 20652432Total omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels increased by 63% in participants who consumed seal oil; those who took fish oil demonstrated an increase of 41%. Together, these results indicate that the omega-3s in seal oil are better assimilated by the human body than those in fish oil.

In the same study, only seal oil was shown to decease triacylglycerol levels (elevated triacylglycerols are a risk factor for cardiovascular disease) and increase HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels. By encouraging an overall healthier plasma lipid profile, seal oil is likely more efficient than fish oil at promoting heart health and lowering the risk of blood clots.

10 X more effective than EPA

A study by Kanayasu-Toyoda et al.Kanayasu-Toyoda T, Morita I, Murota S. Docosapentaenoic acid (22:5, n-3), an elongation metabolite of eicosapentaenoic acid (20:5, n-3), is a potent stimulator of endothelial cell migration on pretreatment in vitro. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 1996 May;54(5):319-25. doi: 10.1016/s0952-3278(96)90045-9. PMID: 8832760. looked at the effects of distinct omega-3s on endothelial cell migration. Endothelial cells line blood vessels and regulate exchanges between the bloodstream and neighbouring cells; endothelial cell migration plays a key role in blood vessel repair and in preventing plaque buildup in arteries.

The researchers treated endothelial cell with EPA and DPA separately. The EPA treatment (5.0 ug/ml) resulted in a dose dependent increase in migration response; only one-tenth the amount of DPA (0.5 ug/ml) was required to incite the same response. This indicates that DPA may be up to 10 times more effective, by concentration, than EPA at fighting artherogensis, or the formation of fatty plaques in arteries.

Boosts all key Omega-3’s

An interesting human clinical trial involved giving doses of concentrated DPA to a number of subjects. The study showed that, even after short-term supplementation with DPA, blood levels of EPA, DHA and DPA were all elevated. This study showed that unlike DPA, an EPA supplementation only increased the proportions of EPA in the body. This indicates DPA acts as a “storage depot,” allowing the body to store and access these crucial omega-3s as needed. This optimizes absorption and utilization.Miller E, Kaur G, Larsen A, Loh SP, Linderborg K, Weisinger HS, Turchini GM, Cameron-Smith D, Sinclair AJ. A short-term n-3 DPA supplementation study in humans. Eur J Nutr. 2013 Apr;52(3):895-904. doi: 10.1007/s00394-012-0396-3. Epub 2012 Jun 23. PMID: 22729967.

An earlier study by Kaur et al. (2009)Kaur G, Cameron-Smith D, Garg M, Sinclair AJ. Docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3): a review of its biological effects. Prog Lipid Res. 2011 Jan;50(1):28-34. doi: 10.1016/j.plipres.2010.07.004. Epub 2010 Jul 23. PMID: 20655949. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20655949/ showed that supplementing with DPA significantly raised DPA concentrations in all tissues. It also significantly increased the concentration of DHA in liver and the concentration of EPA in liver, heart and skeletal muscles.

Source: Miller E, Kaur G, Larsen A, Loh SP, Linderborg K, Weisinger HS, Turchini GM, Cameron-Smith D, Sinclair AJ. A short-term n-3 DPA supplementation study in humans. Eur J Nutr. 2013 Apr;52(3):895-904. doi: 10.1007/s00394-012-0396-3. Epub 2012 Jun 23. PMID: 22729967.

Data also show that DPA helps to achieve maximal endothelial migration, a critical function in repairing blood vessels.Kaur G, Cameron-Smith D, Garg M, Sinclair AJ. Docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3): a review of its biological effects. Prog Lipid Res. 2011 Jan;50(1):28-34. doi: 10.1016/j.plipres.2010.07.004. Epub 2010 Jul 23. PMID: 20655949 Mann NJ, O’Connell SL, Baldwin KM, Singh I, Meyer BJ. Effects of seal oil and tuna-fish oil on platelet parameters and plasma lipid levels in healthy subjects. Lipids. 2010 Aug;45(8):669-81. doi: 10.1007/s11745-010-3450-z. Epub 2010 Jul 23. PMID: 20652432.

The full range of health benefits of DPA are only just beginning to be understood. Studies in mammals and cell cultures have underscored its value in fighting inflammation, improving blood vessel health and elasticity, reducing the risk of blood clots, and metabolising fats.

The evidence is mounting, and it’s clear: DPA is a powerful omega-3 with a host of benefits and it also improves the body’s use of other essential omega-3s. Choosing fish oil, or any other omega-3 supplement without DPA, is a missed opportunity for better overall wellbeing.

Visit our page on what are the benefits of omega-3s to learn more!

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