DPA (docosapentaenoic acid) is an omega-3 fatty acid.

These are a family of fatty acids that are essential for our bodies.

DPA is a precursor to DHA.

Characteristics and sources of n-3 DPA

Structure and definition

Docosapentaenoic acid (n-3 DPA) is an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid with 22 atoms (like DHA) and 5 double bonds (like EPA).

The n-3 designation is important for n-3 DPA because there is also an omega-6 version of DPA, called n-6 DPA, which differs from n-3 DPA in the location of the first double bond in the fatty acid.

Metabolic pathways

Thus, n-3 DPA is an intermediate metabolite between eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA):

• EPA metabolite
• Immediate precursor of DHA

Food sources of n-3 DPA

Herring and sardines (as well as all fish in the Clupeidae family) contain significant amounts of n-3 DPA (hence the name clupanodonic acid, synonymous with DPA).

It should be noted that the fat of seals, walruses and sea lions is also particularly rich in n-3 EPA.

Role of n-3 DPA in the body

Consumption of n-3 DPA contributes to the daily intake of omega-3 fatty acids.

n-3 DPA does not benefit from approved health claims in its own name, as it is primarily an intermediate, but its health properties obviously derive from its role as a precursor to DHA.