Protocols › DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)

DHA for triglycerides

Goal: To lower triglycerides: the DHA doses that trials used, and how much the blood fats changed.

Each protocol describes what studies used, for one goal or for one group of people. It is not advice for you: talk to a doctor before you start a supplement.

Updated 9 Nov 2026
Dose

In 11 trials of algal oil, the median dose was 1.68 g of DHA a day.[1] The ComparED trial gave 2.7 g a day.[2]

Form

Algal oil in the 11 trials of the review.[1] ComparED used DHA of 90% purity as re-esterified triglycerides.[2]

How long

Triglycerides fell within 10 weeks.[2]

What studies found

In 11 trials with 485 people, triglycerides fell by 0.20 mmol/L.[1] In a head-to-head trial, DHA lowered them by 13.3% and EPA by 11.9%.[2] Two reviews found that DHA lowers triglycerides more than EPA.[3][4]

Ask a doctor first

DHA raises LDL cholesterol: by 0.23 mmol/L in 11 algal oil trials, and by 6.9% in ComparED.[1][2] Fish oil may raise INR, a clotting test, in people who take warfarin.[5]

People with high LDL cholesterol or high triglycerides, and people who take a blood thinner, should ask a doctor or pharmacist first.[3][5]

References

  1. A meta-analysis shows that docosahexaenoic acid from algal oil reduces serum triglycerides and increases HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol in persons without coronary heart disease. Bernstein AM, Ding EL, Willett WC, Rimm EB J Nutr, 2012. PMID 22113870
  2. A randomized, crossover, head-to-head comparison of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid supplementation to reduce inflammation markers in men and women: the Comparing EPA to DHA (ComparED) Study. Allaire J, Couture P, Leclerc M, Charest A, Marin J, Lépine MC, et al. Am J Clin Nutr, 2016. PMID 27281302
  3. Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid versus docosahexaenoic acid on serum lipids: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Wei MY, Jacobson TA Curr Atheroscler Rep, 2011. PMID 21975919
  4. The Differential Effects of Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Systematic Review. Innes JK, Calder PC Int J Mol Sci, 2018. PMID 29425187
  5. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. ods.od.nih.gov