DPA and Eye Health: New Study Finds This Overlooked Omega-3 May Help Prevent Macular Degeneration
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Emerging research suggests DPA may play a role in protecting eye health as we age. A 2024 study published in Frontiers in Nutrition, using U.S. national health survey data from nearly 5,000 adults, found that people with higher dietary intake of DPA were significantly less likely to have age-related macular degeneration (AMD) — one of the leading causes of vision loss in older adults. Interestingly, DPA showed a stronger and more consistent link to reduced AMD risk than EPA or DHA, the two omega-3s most commonly studied for eye health. Researchers believe DPA's anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic properties (its ability to limit abnormal blood vessel growth in the retina) may help explain the connection. While more research is needed to confirm cause and effect, these findings add to a growing picture of DPA as a uniquely valuable omega-3 for aging adults.