Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)

Evidence: ★★★★★ · Status: OTC Supplement, FDA Approved

In plain English

These are the fish-oil fats your cell walls are built from. They calm inflammation and lower blood fats — most useful if you don't eat oily fish 2–3× a week.

How it works

EPA and DHA incorporate into cell-membrane phospholipids and are converted to anti-inflammatory eicosanoids (resolvins, protectins). They activate PPARα and the fatty-acid receptor FFAR4 (GPR120), lower hepatic triglyceride synthesis, and reduce NF-κB-driven cytokines (IL-6, CRP).

Molecular target & official sources

FFAR4/GPR120 (NCBI Gene) · PPARA (NCBI Gene) · EPA (PubChem CID 446284)

Protocol

1–3 g combined EPA+DHA/day with a fatty meal. Check label — a 1 g capsule may be only 300 mg EPA+DHA.

Watch out

Blood-thinning >3 g/day; slight AFib signal at 4 g.

Bottom line

Rare supplement with strong evidence across heart, joints, and brain.

Helps with: Recover Faster · Live Longer · Joint Health · Cardiovascular · Stress & Anxiety

The human evidence

REDUCE-IT (2018, ~8,000 high-risk patients already on statins) found high-dose purified EPA cut major cardiovascular events by roughly a quarter — but broader trials of general fish oil in lower-risk people have been largely null. The strong signal is specific to high-dose EPA in high-triglyceride, high-risk people.

Stacks with

Take with a fatty meal for absorption; often paired with vitamin D.

Shares a pathway — often paired with: Vitamin D3 (+ K2), Testosterone (TRT), Finasteride / Dutasteride, Tretinoin / Retinoids.

Avoid combining with

High doses (>3 g/day) alongside blood thinners (warfarin, aspirin) — additive bleeding risk. Stop ~1 week before surgery.

Availability & where to buy

Available over the counter. Widely available OTC — e.g. iHerb (ships worldwide); in Singapore also Guardian, Watsons, GNC, Shopee / Lazada. Look for a third-party-tested / GMP mark and check the dose per serving. ~S$20–45/month. Buy on total EPA+DHA (read the back), not the “1000 mg fish oil” on the front.

How it works: the Nuclear receptors pathway →

Used in these protocols

• Knee Pain
• Knee Pain
• Knee Pain
• Lower Back Pain
• Lower Back Pain
• Neck & Shoulder Pain
• Neck & Shoulder Pain
• Ankle / Foot Pain

Compare Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)

• Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) vs Creatine Monohydrate
• Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) vs Whey / Casein Protein
• Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) vs Rapamycin (Sirolimus)
• Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) vs Magnesium
• Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) vs Zinc
• Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) vs Enclomiphene / Clomiphene (Clomid)
• Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) vs SGLT2 Inhibitors (Empagliflozin / Canagliflozin)
• Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) vs Vitamin D3 (+ K2)