Mechanisms by which EPA plus DHA benefit health
The CV benefits of EPA plus DHA are largely through enrichment of membrane phospholipids (2). Via this mechanism arrhythmic thresholds are increased, blood pressure reduced and arterial and endothelial function are improved. Platelet aggregation (clotting) is improved as is autonomic tone. Fish oil is known to reduce clotting and increase bleeding time. However, this does not seem to result in problems in those societies where intake of oily fish is extremely high.