EPA vs DHA in Omega-3 Fish Oil: Which Ratio Gives You the Best Results?


What Are EPA and DHA?

- EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid): Primarily supports heart health, reduces inflammation, and helps with mood and triglyceride levels.

- DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid): More important for brain function, eye health, and fetal development. It also contributes to overall anti-inflammatory effects.

- The ratio (EPA:DHA) influences which benefits are emphasized. A balanced or slightly EPA-dominant ratio is common in general health supplements.

Standard Industry Benchmarks for 1000mg Fish Oil Capsules

Most regular fish oil supplements (not highly concentrated) provide around 300mg total Omega-3 per 1000mg capsule.

Type of Fish Oil

Typical EPA

Typical DHA

EPA:DHA Ratio

Total EPA + DHA

Best For

Standard Fish Oil (anchovy/sardine/mackerel)

180 mg

120 mg

3:2 (1.5:1)

300 mg

General heart & inflammation support

Salmon Oil (natural)

90–150 mg

100–180 mg

1:1 to 1:1.2

~250–300 mg

Balanced daily use, brain + heart

How Carbamide Forte Salmon Omega 3 Compares

- Your product delivers the classic 3:2 ratio (EPA slightly higher than DHA).

- This is the most common ratio found in everyday fish oil supplements.

- It provides a good balance — enough EPA for cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory benefits, plus sufficient DHA for brain and skin support.

- Compared to pure salmon oil (which often has a more balanced or slightly DHA-leaning ratio like 1:1 or 1:1.2), Carbamide Forte leans a bit more toward EPA. This makes it slightly stronger for heart health and joint support, which matches the product’s claimed benefits.

When Ratio Matters

- Heart health / triglycerides / inflammation → Higher EPA (e.g., 2:1 or 3:2) is often preferred.

- Brain health / cognitive function / pregnancy → Higher DHA (e.g., 1:2) is better.

- General daily maintenance → 3:2 or 1:1 ratios work well for most people.

📚 References & Sources

Calder, P.C. (2017) ‘Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: from molecules to man’, Biochemical Society Transactions, 45(5), pp. 1105–1115. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST20160474.
Djuricic, I. et al. (2025) ‘N-3 Fatty Acids (EPA and DHA) and Cardiovascular Health’, Nutrients [Preprint]. Available at: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12628397/.
Mozaffarian, D. and Wu, J.H.Y. (2012) ‘(n-3) Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Health: Are Effects of EPA and DHA Shared or Complementary?’, The Journal of Nutrition, 142(3), pp. 614S–625S. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.111.155630 .
National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements (2022) Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. Available at: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Omega3FattyAcids-HealthProfessional/.
Swanson, D., Block, R. and Mousa, S.A. (2012) ‘Omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA: health benefits throughout life’, Advances in Nutrition, 3(1), pp. 1–7. Available at: https://doi.org/10.3945/an.111.000893.