DHA, a type of fat found in fish and some supplements, breaks down more easily when exposed to air than any other fat in our food.

DHA is a type of fat your brain needs to build brain cells and work properly.

EPA and DHA are two types of omega-3 fats that work differently in your body—one might calm inflammation, the other might change how your body stores fat—and that’s why some studies show benefits when you take them together, but others don’t, depending on which one you use alone.

Taking a lot of DHA (a type of omega-3 from fish oil) every day can drop your bad blood fats by about a quarter to a third—if you already have high levels—but EPA (another omega-3) doesn’t work as well, so DHA is the better choice for lowering triglycerides.