Because only a small percentage of ala is converted into EPA and DHA inside the body, it may not have the same heart benefits, cardiologists say.

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If you want omega-3s for your heart, read the fine print and look for products with EPA or DHA. Kashi says people don't get enough omega-3 and that it makes no specific health claims.

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Research suggests that DHA and EPA are only effective for bipolar disorder when they are used in combination.

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According to the National Institutes of Healt h, most fish oil studies have involved the use of 300 to 3, 000 mg of the essential fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

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Another key point: Vascepa contains purified ethyl EPA, an omega-3 fatty acid, but does not contain significant amounts of docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, another omega-3 fatty acid that is a major component of non-prescription fish-oil pills, as well as Lovaza.

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