Can Seal Oil Help Calm Gut Inflammation? What New Research Shows
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New research is shedding light on why seal oil might be a standout among omega-3 sources. A 2026 study published in Scientific Reports compared seal oil and fish oil in a mouse model of colitis, and found that seal oil — thanks in part to its natural content of DPA (docosapentaenoic acid), an omega-3 that fish oil largely lacks — was more effective at calming gut inflammation and restoring the intestinal barrier than fish oil alone. Researchers also identified specific DPA-derived compounds that only showed up with seal oil supplementation, suggesting DPA does more than just convert into EPA and DHA in the body — it may have its own distinct, beneficial role. While the findings come from animal research rather than human trials, they add to a growing body of evidence pointing to DPA as an important, and often overlooked, omega-3 in its own right.