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Mechanism of Action

• Neurotransmitter Modulation: Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) readily crosses the blood–brain barrier, where it alters membrane fluidity in neurons. By integrating into neuronal cell membranes, EPA helps optimize the function of serotonin and dopamine receptors—two key neurotransmitters that regulate mood, motivation, and reward signaling.

• Anti-Inflammatory Signaling: Depression and mood disorders often coincide with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α). EPA’s metabolites (resolvins and protectins) actively downregulate these cytokines, reducing neuro-inflammation that can exacerbate depressive symptoms.

Clinical Outcomes

• Symptom Reduction: Multiple randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown that patients taking ≥1,000 mg EPA daily experience up to a 40 % reduction in depression scores (e.g., via Hamilton Depression Rating Scale) within 8–12 weeks—especially in those who were partially responsive to SSRIs.^1

• Rapid Onset: Unlike other omega-3 blends (which combine DHA and EPA), high-purity EPA has been linked to faster improvements in mood and affect—often noticeable within 4–6 weeks of consistent dosing.

• Stabilized Emotional Reactivity: Users report fewer “emotional highs and lows,” reduced irritability, and less anxiety under stress—benefits attributed to EPA’s ability to normalize HPA (hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal) axis activity.

Synaptic Plasticity & Neurogenesis

• Membrane Fluidity: By integrating into phospholipid bilayers, EPA enhances membrane fluidity, which is essential for optimal receptor functioning—crucial for learning, memory consolidation, and synaptic plasticity.

• BDNF Upregulation: EPA has been shown to upregulate brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that supports neurogenesis (birth of new neurons) and dendritic branching in the hippocampus—an area vital for memory and learning.

Cognitive Outcomes

• Improved Focus & Attention: Clinical studies indicate that participants taking high-purity EPA demonstrated measurable gains in tasks requiring sustained attention, processing speed, and working memory (e.g., Trail Making Test).

• Age-Related Neuroprotection: For middle-aged and older adults, EPA supplementation has been associated with lower rates of cognitive decline over 12–24 months, likely due to its ability to reduce neuro-inflammation and oxidative stress.¹

Lipid Profile Optimization

• No LDL-C Elevation: Unlike many EPA + DHA blends that can slightly raise LDL-C in some individuals, Shine EPA 500’s ultra-pure EPA formulation has been shown to maintain or reduce LDL-C levels.² Clinical case reports (e.g., Crandell et al., 2015) highlight patients on statins with persistent dyslipidemia achieving significant TG (triglyceride) reductions without an uptick in LDL-C when switched to a high-EPA regimen.

• Triglyceride Reduction: High-dose EPA (≥2 g/day) consistently lowers serum triglyceride levels by up to 30 – 40 % in hypertriglyceridemic patients, reducing risk factors for atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease.

Cardio-protective Effects

• Anti-Arrhythmic Properties: EPA stabilizes cardiac cell membranes, which may decrease the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias—an effect observed in several long-term epidemiological studies.

• Vascular Endothelial Support: EPA promotes nitric oxide (NO) production in endothelial cells, leading to improved vasodilation, lower blood pressure, and better arterial compliance—key factors in long-term heart health.

Systemic Inflammation Reduction

• Eicosanoid Balance: EPA competes with arachidonic acid (AA) for cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase (LOX) enzymes. When EPA is metabolized instead of AA, the body produces “3-series” prostaglandins and “5-series” leukotrienes—milder inflammatory mediators compared to AA-derived eicosanoids. This shift leads to an overall decrease in chronic inflammatory markers.

• Cytokine Modulation: Clinical assays show that EPA can lower circulating levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α—cytokines implicated in chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, and inflammatory bowel conditions.

Clinical Applications

• Joint Comfort & Mobility: People with mild-to-moderate joint pain often report improved comfort and decreased stiffness within 8–10 weeks of daily EPA supplementation, likely due to reduced synovial inflammation.

• Immune Support: By dampening chronic inflammation, EPA helps normalize immune cell function—potentially reducing auto-immune flare-ups and enhancing resilience to infections.

Natural Vitamin E (D-Alpha-Tocopherol)

• Protects delicate EPA molecules from oxidative damage both during storage (in the capsule) and after ingestion (in the bloodstream).

• Acts as a lipid-soluble antioxidant, quenching free radicals generated during EPA metabolism. Adequate Vitamin E is necessary to preserve EPA’s integrity and maximize its anti-inflammatory effects.³

Vitamin K2 (MK-7)

• Works synergistically with EPA to support vascular health. K2 helps activate Matrix Gla Protein (MGP), which inhibits vascular calcification. Combined with EPA’s lipid-lowering effects, this duo promotes healthier arteries and lowers cardiovascular risk.⁴

Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol)

• Enhances neuroimmune modulation: both Vitamin D3 and EPA modulate microglial activation in the brain, reducing neuroinflammation.

• Improves mood via independent pathways: Vitamin D deficiency is linked to depression, so the D3 in Shine EPA 500 complements EPA’s mood-stabilizing actions.