Safety Profile
Known Safety Concerns
- Antiplatelet activity at high doses
- Limited standalone safety data
- Oxidation risk in poorly stored products
Contraindications
- Antiplatelet activity at high doses
- Limited standalone safety data
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
DPA is an omega-3 fatty acid intermediate between EPA and DHA. Found in fish oil and some algal oils. Less studied than EPA and DHA. Retains antiplatelet and anti-inflammatory properties characteristic of omega-3 fatty acids.
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Scientific Name
- Docosapentaenoic acid (22:5n-3)
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Metabolic
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- Antiplatelet activity at high doses
- Limited standalone safety data
- Oxidation risk in poorly stored products
The available scientific evidence for DPA (Docosapentaenoic Acid) indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 10/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 0/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 25 მარ 2026, 22:30
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWDifferent Dietary Ratios of Camelina Oil to Sandeel Oil Influence the Capacity to Synthesise and Deposit EPA and DHA in Zucker Fa/Fa… ↗u00d8stbye TK et al.. Different Dietary Ratios of Camelina Oil to Sandeel Oil Influence the Capacity to Synthesise and Deposit EPA and DHA in Zucker Fa/Fa Rats.. Nutrients. 2023. PMID:37242227.PMID 37242227 ↗Journal NutrientsYear 2023Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37242227/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWSpatial-resolved metabolomics reveals tissue-specific metabolic reprogramming in diabetic nephropathy by using mass spectrometry imaging. ↗Wang Z et al.. Spatial-resolved metabolomics reveals tissue-specific metabolic reprogramming in diabetic nephropathy by using mass spectrometry imaging.. Acta Pharm Sin B. 2021. PMID:34900545.PMID 34900545 ↗Journal Acta Pharm Sin BYear 2021Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34900545/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWNon-polar lipid from greenshell mussel (Perna canaliculus) inhibits osteoclast differentiation. ↗Siriarchavatana P et al.. Non-polar lipid from greenshell mussel (Perna canaliculus) inhibits osteoclast differentiation.. Bone Rep. 2021. PMID:34632003.PMID 34632003 ↗Journal Bone RepYear 2021Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34632003/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWDistinct maternal microbiota clusters are associated with diet during pregnancy: impact on neonatal microbiota and infant growth during the first 18 months… ↗Garcu00eda-Mantrana I et al.. Distinct maternal microbiota clusters are associated with diet during pregnancy: impact on neonatal microbiota and infant growth during the first 18 months of life.. Gut Microbes. 2020. PMID:32167021.PMID 32167021 ↗Journal Gut MicrobesYear 2020Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32167021/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWNon-dietary factors associated with n-3 long-chain PUFA levels in humans - a systematic literature review. ↗de Groot RHM et al.. Non-dietary factors associated with n-3 long-chain PUFA levels in humans - a systematic literature review.. Br J Nutr. 2019. PMID:30688181.PMID 30688181 ↗Journal Br J NutrYear 2019Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30688181/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWn-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids for the management of alcoholic liver disease: A critical review. ↗Wang M et al.. n-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids for the management of alcoholic liver disease: A critical review.. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019. PMID:30580553.PMID 30580553 ↗Journal Crit Rev Food Sci NutrYear 2019Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30580553/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWFatty acid positional distribution (sn-2 fatty acids) and phospholipid composition in Chinese breast milk from colostrum to mature stage. ↗Wu K et al.. Fatty acid positional distribution (sn-2 fatty acids) and phospholipid composition in Chinese breast milk from colostrum to mature stage.. Br J Nutr. 2019. PMID:30378505.PMID 30378505 ↗Journal Br J NutrYear 2019Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30378505/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW5-lipoxygenase-dependent biosynthesis of novel 20:4 n-3 metabolites with anti-inflammatory activity. ↗Gagnon KJ et al.. 5-lipoxygenase-dependent biosynthesis of novel 20:4 n-3 metabolites with anti-inflammatory activity.. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2018. PMID:30392579.PMID 30392579 ↗Journal Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty AcidsYear 2018Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30392579/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWEffects of krill oil and lean and fatty fish on cardiovascular risk markers: a randomised controlled trial. ↗Rundblad A et al.. Effects of krill oil and lean and fatty fish on cardiovascular risk markers: a randomised controlled trial.. J Nutr Sci. 2018. PMID:29372051.PMID 29372051 ↗Journal J Nutr SciYear 2018Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29372051/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWVery long-chain n-3 fatty acids and human health: fact, fiction and the future. ↗Calder PC. Very long-chain n-3 fatty acids and human health: fact, fiction and the future.. Proc Nutr Soc. 2018. PMID:29039280.PMID 29039280 ↗Journal Proc Nutr SocYear 2018Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29039280/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for DPA (Docosapentaenoic Acid). Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a low safety concern under normal conditions of use.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Low classification for DPA (Docosapentaenoic Acid)
A score of 1.5 places this ingredient in the Low band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.