Role of the EPA: DHA dosing ratio in omega-3 supplements on blood fatty acid profiles and inflammation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Level 1 - systematic review of randomized trials
Systematic review and meta-analysis of 96 clinical trials.
PubMed 41568426 · doi:10.1080/10408398.2026.2615693
What was done
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 96 clinical trials published before February 2025 evaluating how EPA:DHA dosing ratios and total daily EPA+DHA dose affect blood fatty acid profiles and inflammatory markers (CRP, TNF-α, IL-6). Standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals and linear regressions were calculated.
What was found
The abstract reports directions of effect without numerical point estimates or confidence intervals. EPA+DHA supplementation significantly increased blood EPA:DHA ratios and total EPA+DHA (greater in healthy participants) and reduced arachidonic acid (AA), CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6 (greater in participants with underlying health conditions). Dosing ratios <1.0 yielded the largest cytokine reductions, while ratios ≥1.0 most effectively increased blood EPA:DHA ratios and reduced AA. Doses of 1–3 g/day produced the most consistent reductions in CRP, TNF-α, and IL-6.
Why it matters
Omega-3 formulations are often treated as interchangeable, but EPA-predominant and DHA-predominant ratios target different pathways: ratios <1.0 more effectively lower cytokines, whereas ratios ≥1.0 better reduce arachidonic acid.
Limits
The abstract does not report numerical effect sizes, confidence intervals, p-values, or the total number of participants. Study designs (whether all were randomized) and specific underlying clinical conditions across the 96 trials are not detailed in the abstract.
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