Benefits
Healthy triglycerides
Omega-3 fatty acids reliably lower triglycerides, one of the best-established benefits of EPA and DHA for heart health.
Brain and mood support
DHA is a major structural fat in the brain, and omega-3s are studied for supporting cognition and mood.
Anti-inflammatory support
EPA and DHA are precursors to specialized pro-resolving signaling molecules and are studied for supporting a healthy inflammatory balance; effects on specific conditions are not established here.
Mechanism of action
Membrane incorporation
EPA and DHA are built into cell membranes throughout the body, improving membrane function in the heart, brain, and eyes.
Eicosanoid balance
Omega-3s are converted into specialized signaling molecules (resolvins and prostaglandins) that help resolve inflammation.
Clinical trials
Cochrane systematic review of omega-3 fatty acids for prevention of cardiovascular disease. (Abdelhamid et al. 2020, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews)
Adults across many large trials.
This large Cochrane review (86 RCTs, ~162,796 people) found omega-3 has little or no effect on cardiovascular mortality (RR 0.92, moderate certainty) and cardiovascular events (RR 0.96, high certainty), with at most a slight reduction in coronary events (low certainty). Its clearest benefit was lowering triglycerides. It does not support omega-3 for preventing heart attacks or cardiovascular disease.