Long-chain omega-3 fatty acid
Quality and Security
High-quality testing run in a CLIA-certified and CAP-accredited lab in Santa Clara, California.
About EPA
${ activeTab.tab_content.text }
Loading...
About EPA
Overview and History
EPA is an n‑3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (20:5n‑3) classified among long-chain marine-derived omega‑3s. Identified during 20th‑century lipid research into fish oils and cardiovascular observations, EPA became a focus for studies of membrane lipids and signaling lipids rather than a discrete microorganism or protein.
Biologically, EPA is incorporated into phospholipid membranes and enzymatically converted into eicosanoids and specialized pro-resolving mediators. These derivatives modulate cell signaling, influence vascular tone and platelet activity, and alter inflammatory signaling cascades, so EPA helps shape multiple interconnected pathways in cardiometabolic physiology.
Interpreting Highs and Lows
Lower EPA levels are commonly associated with a relative shortfall of omega‑3 substrates in tissues and blood; in population studies this pattern correlates with higher inflammatory markers and certain unfavorable lipid patterns. Higher EPA levels typically reflect greater dietary or supplemental intake and are associated with shifts in lipid composition, inflammatory signaling, and platelet function. Any single EPA result is best interpreted alongside other lipid, inflammatory, endothelial, and metabolic markers on the Cardio Zoomer to understand overall cardiovascular patterns.
Featured Test
Cardio Zoomer includes EPA to profile fatty‑acid composition and inflammatory balance alongside lipids, endothelial markers, and redox measures. EPA helps distinguish whether fatty‑acid biology is contributing to inflammatory signaling, lipid behavior, or clotting patterns, supporting a more personalized view of cardiovascular physiology.
Related Articles
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, yet most testing still focuses on surface-level metrics like total cholesterol or...
What do you think of when you hear the term “cardiovascular disease?” Most people immediately think of high cholesterol, but cardiovascular risk goes ...
A common theme among many of my nutrition clients is that despite eating well, staying active, and managing stress, they feel worn down, inflamed, and...
When it comes to cardiovascular disease (CVD), many people immediately think of high cholesterol. High cholesterol—a specific type of dyslipidemia or ...
Results trusted by over 18,000 functional wellness professionals
We’re the leading provider of specialty wellness lab testing because we develop our testing with rigorous, ongoing research by top clinical experts, doctors, and scientists.
-1.png?width=542&height=427&name=shutterstock_2371998817%201%20(1)-1.png)
.png?width=207&height=108&name=Group%201410104259%20(1).png)
The gold standard of accuracy in the lab industry
Our tests run on a proprietary 3Dense microchip technology platform that boasts unrivaled specificity and sensitivity. While most other labs carry only CLIA certification, we're CAP-accredited by the College of American Pathologists.
.png?width=487&height=356&name=Frame%201410104197%20(3).png)
.png?width=187&height=63&name=category%20Card%20text%20(1).png)
.png?width=202&height=63&name=category%20Card%20text%20(2).png)
Mary Beth Augustine
DCN, RDN, FAND- Lead Clinical Educator
Suzanne Barker
MS, RDN, LD, CTTS, CGP- Clinical Educator
Suzette Garcia
MSc- MHNE- Clinical Educator
Brooke Mader Ganev
MS, CNS, LDN, FDN- Clinical Educator
Adair Anderson
MS, RDN, LDN- Clinical Educator
Lillie Luu Nguyen
DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator
Jason Barker
ND- Clinical Educator
Emaline Brown
ND- Clinical Educator
Dana Filatova
DCN, CNS, LDN- Clinical Educator
Jessy Dhanjal
ND- Clinical Educator
Nour Amri
MS, LDN, CNS, CKNS- Clinical Educator
