{
  "slug": "epa-algal-oil",
  "name": "EPA Algal Oil (Vegan EPA)",
  "alternate_names": [
    "Eicosapentaenoic Acid from Microalgae",
    "Algal EPA",
    "Vegan EPA Omega-3",
    "Microalgal EPA Oil"
  ],
  "mechanism": [
    "As a long-chain n-3 PUFA (C20:5 n-3), EPA is incorporated into membrane phospholipids and serves as a precursor for specialized pro-resolving mediators (E-series resolvins) in research models of inflammation resolution",
    "EPA competitively displaces arachidonic acid (AA) from membrane phospholipids, shifting the EPA/AA ratio and modulating downstream eicosanoid (e.g. COX-2-derived) signaling in mechanistic studies",
    "Microalgal-derived EPA is chemically identical to fish-oil EPA; an equivalence RCT reported comparable plasma phospholipid bioavailability, so its pharmacology is not expected to differ by source"
  ],
  "target": [
    "Membrane phospholipid EPA/AA ratio",
    "COX-2 / eicosanoid pathway (mechanistic)",
    "E-series resolvin precursors",
    "Plasma phospholipid omega-3 index"
  ],
  "use_case": [
    "Plant-based (vegan) omega-3 EPA supplementation as a marine-free alternative",
    "Research-context cardiovascular and inflammatory-balance support attributed to EPA",
    "Raising plasma/phospholipid EPA status without fish-oil-derived contaminants"
  ],
  "body_system": [
    "CARDIO",
    "IMMUNE"
  ],
  "evidence_tier": "B",
  "evidence_anchor_pmid_count": 1,
  "dosage_range": "250–1000 mg/day EPA (common commercial dose 500–1000 mg; ISSFAL general reference for combined EPA+DHA is ≥250–500 mg/day). Doses ≥3 g/day EPA are associated with increased bleeding tendency.",
  "safety_notes": "Generally well tolerated; safety profile consistent with fish-oil EPA. Occasional GI discomfort or fishy aftertaste (milder for algal source). High-dose EPA (≥3 g/day) may increase bleeding risk and should be used with medical supervision if combined with anticoagulants. Seafood/algae-allergic individuals should use with caution despite very low protein content in purified algal oil. Pure-algal source carries no ocean-contaminant (e.g. mercury) risk.",
  "regulatory": {
    "fda": "✅ Legal dietary supplement ingredient under DSHEA; multiple microalgal EPA/DHA oils hold GRAS status. Structure/function claims only — no disease claims.",
    "efsa": "✅ Authorized as Novel Food (multiple microalgal oils authorized). EFSA holds authorized health claims for EPA+DHA (normal cardiac function at 250 mg/day; blood pressure and triglycerides at higher conditioned intakes).",
    "anvisa": "✅ Permitted as a food supplement ingredient in Brazil."
  },
  "authorized_claims": [],
  "ingredient_hub_url": "https://asxan.ai/ingredients/epa-algal-oil/",
  "related_goal_slugs": [
    "heart-health"
  ],
  "related_lifestyle_slugs": [
    "plant-based"
  ],
  "last_evidence_review": "2026-06-13",
  "schema_version": "nc-public-v0.2",
  "api_version": "nc-public-v0.3",
  "_meta": {
    "last_evidence_review": "2026-06-13",
    "ip_axes_disclosed": {
      "public_axes": [
        "mechanism",
        "target",
        "use_case",
        "body_system",
        "evidence_tier",
        "dosage_range",
        "safety_notes",
        "regulatory",
        "authorized_claims"
      ],
      "ip_axes_not_exposed": [
        "proprietary_formula_ratios",
        "clinical_protocol_internals",
        "rnd_pipeline_compounds",
        "supplier_specific_grade_specifications",
        "unpublished_endpoint_data"
      ],
      "rationale": "asxan.ai surfaces the educational, evidence-tier-disclosed slice. Formula composition, clinical-protocol internals, and RnD pipeline data are intentionally outside this public surface."
    }
  }
}