The Claim

In adults with abdominal obesity and low-grade inflammation, daily supplementation with 2.7 grams of DHA for 10 weeks increases HDL cholesterol by 7.6% and reduces the total cholesterol to HDL ratio by 2.5%, while EPA supplementation has no significant effect on these lipid parameters.

Source: A randomized, crossover, head-to-head comparison of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid supplementation to reduce inflammation markers in men and women: the Comparing EPA to DHA (ComparED) Study.

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
84score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Cause and effect
1 study reviewed
In plain English

In adults with abdominal obesity and low-grade inflammation, taking 2.7 grams of DHA daily for 10 weeks raises HDL cholesterol by 7.6% and lowers the total cholesterol to HDL ratio by 2.5%. EPA supplementation at similar doses does not significantly change these lipid measures.

See the scientific wording

In adults with abdominal obesity and low-grade inflammation, 10 weeks of daily 2.7-gram DHA supplementation increases HDL cholesterol by 7.6% and reduces the total cholesterol to HDL ratio by 2.5%, while EPA has no significant effect on these lipid parameters, indicating DHA has a more favorable impact on this specific aspect of lipid profile.

Why this might work

DHA enters liver cells and turns on genes that make more of a protein called apolipoprotein A-I, which is the main building block of good cholesterol particles. These new particles pick up excess cholesterol from artery walls and other tissues and carry it back to the liver for removal. This process increases good cholesterol levels and lowers the ratio of total cholesterol to good cholesterol.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study

  1. Study: A randomized, crossover, head-to-head comparison of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid supplementation to reduce inflammation markers in men and women: the Comparing EPA to DHA (ComparED) Study.

    In people with belly fat and mild inflammation, taking 2.7 grams of DHA daily for 10 weeks raised good cholesterol and improved the balance between good and bad cholesterol, while EPA didn’t do this. So DHA worked better for these specific heart health markers.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.