EPA, a fatty acid known as the "blood vessel cleaner", was often considered a healthy standard for middle-aged and elderly people. In fact, EPA also plays an important role in children's health . This article will explore in depth the multiple benefits of EPA for children's health.

Debunking myths! EPA is not just for middle-aged and elderly people

• EPA is widely used in the middle-aged and elderly population due to its lipid-lowering ability .
• A 2017 paper in Vascular Pharmacology pointed out that EPA can significantly lower plasma triglycerides and is beneficial for atherosclerotic plaques. The US FDA has also approved EPA prescription fish oil.
• In the field of children's nutrition, DHA is often regarded as the key to brain nutrition, while EPA is misunderstood as a "monster".

Natural nutrition in breast milk lays the foundation for immunity

• Breast milk itself contains EPA, and infants and young children begin to supplement EPA from birth.
• Dietary recommendations for Chinese preschool children: Children aged 4-5 should supplement 50-75 grams of livestock meat and fish every day. For example, salmon contains 287 mg EPA and 360 mg DHA per 30 grams.
• A 2020 article in "Nutrients" pointed out that about half of the studies showed that children who supplemented with ≥450 mg of DHA+EPA daily had improved cognitive abilities and helped the development of the brain and eyes.

Conclusion: EPA is not only safe, but also an "invisible guardian" of children's growth.

DHA’s “right-hand man”——EPA

• DHA is known as brain gold. It is the fatty acid with the highest content in the brain and is essential for neuron growth and neurotransmission.
• EPA can regulate inflammatory responses and nerve signals, indirectly supporting the function of DHA. Plasma unesterified EPA can be converted into DHA in the liver and supplied to the brain.
• The combined effects of EPA and DHA can improve the fluidity of nerve cell membranes, enhance synaptic plasticity, and improve learning and memory.

The synergistic effect of EPA and DHA

• The combination of the two can more effectively reduce inflammatory factors and alleviate neuroinflammatory-related diseases.
• EPA and DHA also have synergistic effects in neuroprotection, cardiovascular health, and bioavailability.
• EPA is the best "work assistant" of DHA!

Protecting children's growth: Improving immunity and protecting vision

• With the change of seasons or after playing outside, children are prone to catching colds, fevers or respiratory infections, so improving immunity becomes a goal for parents.
• EPA can regulate the production of inflammatory mediators and immune cell function, inhibit proinflammatory cytokines (such as IL-6, TNF-α), promote the production of anti-inflammatory mediators (such as resolvins, protectins), and balance the inflammatory response.
• Combined supplementation of EPA+DHA can reduce the incidence of respiratory diseases and improve asthma symptoms in children with iron deficiency.
• EPA can also change intestinal flora, enhance intestinal barrier function and overall immunity.
• Supplementing EPA during pregnancy can reduce children's BMI and body fat percentage, and reduce the risk of obesity.

EPA protects children's vision health

• According to data from 2023, the myopia rate among children and adolescents in China is as high as 52.7%.
• EPA plays an important role in retinal photoreceptor cells and maintains retinal health.
• NHANES data showed that the intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (including EPA) was negatively correlated with the incidence of myopia in adolescents.
• EPA can regulate mitochondrial function, reduce the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and protect retinal cells from oxidative damage.
• The combined action of EPA+DHA can enhance retinal neuron metabolism, increase macular pigment density, and enhance protection against blue light.

EPA Improves ADHD and Emotional Health

• ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) affects approximately 23 million children and adolescents in the country.
• EPA can modulate dopamine and serotonin pathways, enhance prefrontal cortex function, and improve attention and behavioral control.
• Studies have shown that EPA supplementation can improve core symptoms of ADHD in children, including inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior.
• EPA also improved cognitive function, reading ability, and behavioral scores.
• EPA can increase the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), promote neuroplasticity, improve mood and cognitive function, and effectively relieve depressive symptoms in children.
• Combined supplementation of EPA+DHA can significantly improve the executive function and emotion regulation ability of ADHD children.

EPA: An all-around helper for children's growth

EPA has been contributing to human health, from cardiovascular scavenger, immune regulation, eye protection to improving concentration, improving learning ability and ADHD.
EPA is not only a "health partner" for middle-aged and elderly people, but also an "all-round assistant" for children's growth.

References:

1. Nelson, JR, Wani, O., May, HT, & Budoff, M. (2017). Potential benefits of eicosapentaenoic acid on atherosclerotic plaques. Vascular Pharmacology, 91, 1–9.
2. Fish, salmon, Atlantic, farmed, raw - Nutrients - SR Legacy | USDA FoodData Central
3. van der Wurff ISM, Meyer BJ, de Groot RHM. Effect of Omega-3 Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (n-3 LCPUFA) Supplementation on Cognition in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Literature Review with a Focus on n-3 LCPUFA Blood Values ​​and Dose of DHA and EPA. Nutrients. 2020 Oct 12;12(10):3115. doi: 10.3390/nu12103115. PMID: 33053843; PMCID: PMC7599612.