Omega-3 is the general term for a group of different fatty acids. Some of these fatty acids have shown positive effects on our health. This is why it is important to choose products that provide you with the types of omega-3 that have a documented type, namely DHA and EPA. EPA has a chain of 20 carbon atoms and five double bonds, while DHA has a chain of 22 carbon atoms and 6 double bonds. There is a lot of DHA in the brain, heart and eyes, and it is therefore safe to suppose that this fatty acid is of great importance to these organs. EPA is a precursor to neurotransmitters as a part of inflammation processes, and can take part in managing this process.
DHA has more health claims than EPA, and the best omega-3 products contain a larger portion of DHA than EPA.
The following health claims have been approved by the EU Commission under the following food laws: Commission Regulation 432/2012 (EU) of 16/05/2012 and Commission Regulation 536/2013 (EU) of 11/06/2013 for the marine omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA and for vitamin D3:
- DHA and EPA contribute to the normal function of the heart (0,25 g per day)
- DHA and EPA contribute to the maintenance of normal blood pressure (3 g per day)
- DHA and EPA contribute to maintaining normal triglyceride levels in the blood (2 g per day)
- DHA contributes to maintaining normal triglyceride levels in the body (2 g per day combined with EPA)
- DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function (0,25 g per day)
- DHA contributes to maintaining normal vision and eye function (0,25 g per day)
- The mother’s intake of DHA contributes to normal brain development in the fetus, and children who are breast-fed (0,2 g DHA in addition to the recommended daily amount of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA+DHA), which is 0,25 g)
- The mother’s intake of DHA contributes to normal eye development in the fetus, and children who are breast-fed (0,2 g DHA in addition to the recommended daily amount of omega-3 fatty acids (EPA+DHA), which is 0,25 g).
