In the composition of complex, biologically active food additives, you 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 fat.
Indications for use
This component is used to control unstable blood pressure during pregnancy, which is characterized by an increased risk of eclampsia, as well as for the treatment of age-related changes in the cornea of the eye, 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 diseases. The extensive list includes pathologies of the cardiovascular system, asthma, cancer, menstrual irregularities, hot flashes, hay fever, lung disease, erythematous (red) lupus, and renal failure. The combination of essential omega-3 fatty acids also helps prevent headaches in adolescents, skin infections, Behcet's syndrome, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, psoriasis, Raynaud's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, granulomatous enteritis and ulcerative colitis.
In combination with ribonucleic acid and l-arginine, this miraculous substance is able to prevent infection after surgery, accelerate wound healing and reduce the duration of postoperative recovery.
Eicosapentaenoic acid should not be confused with docosahexaenoic and fish oil preparations containing both of the above substances. The main function of the analyzed drug is to prevent rapid blood coagulation, as well as to alleviate pain and swelling.
Highest efficiency
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 (with simultaneous use with traditional antidepressants).
- Open surgical wounds.
- Psoriasis.
- Emotionally unstable personality disorder of the borderline type, affective changes. Medicines and dietary supplements containing eicosapentaenoic acid reduce aggressiveness and relieve symptoms of depression in women with the indicated diagnoses.
- Coronary artery 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 blockage of the heart arteries is complicated by high blood cholesterol. 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 as a result of a violation of the electrical activity of the organ.
- Symptoms of menopause, including hot flashes (paroxysmal fever).
Potential effectiveness
According to the results of recent studies, it can be concluded that eicosapentaenoic acid is a "vitamin" that is able to 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 associated with 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 hyperactivity disorder and attention deficit disorder. However, at the moment it is not known whether eicosapentaenoic acid preparations can cure this pathology.
- Schizophrenia.
- Alzheimer's disease.
- Menstrual irregularities, menopause.
- Lung diseases.
- Lupus.
- Other diseases and pathological conditions.
Extensive scientific research is currently underway, the object of which is not only the omega-3 fatty acids in the complex, but also directly eicosapentaenoic acid. What kind of “vitamin” is contained in fish oil and how can it be used for the benefit of medicine and human well-being? Highly qualified doctors and scientists around the world seek to answer these questions.
Side effects
For most people, omega-3 fatty acids are completely harmless. Nevertheless, each human body is unique, respectively, some patients may suffer from side effects that have arisen as a result of the use of eicosapentaenoic acid preparations. These undesirable effects of therapy include:
- nausea;
- bowel disorder;
- heartburn;
- skin rash;
- itching
- nosebleeds;
- back pain;
- muscle and joint pains.
If fish oil preparations containing eicosapentaenoic acid are used, other side effects may be observed, including:
- the appearance of the taste of fish in the mouth;
- belching;
- diarrhea;
- digestive disorders.
In order to mitigate and completely eliminate side effects, experts recommend consuming 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 comply with the instructions for use of the drug, violating the dosage rules and consuming more than three grams of eicosapentaenoic acid every day. Overdosing 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 that you refrain from eating excess eicosapentaenoic acid in order to avoid the development of fetal pathologies and the appearance of pregnancy complications.
With increased sensitivity 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.
With high blood pressure, as is known, eicosapentaenoic acid is often used. The use of this drug is not in doubt, however, we must not forget that it is not recommended to be used simultaneously with any medicines that contribute to lowering blood pressure. Otherwise, the pressure may drop too quickly and cause fainting.
Dosage
Since eicosapentaenoic acid, the “vitamin” against depression, is most often found in fish oil, a 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).