Comparison
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) vs Urolithin A
Side-by-side of Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) and Urolithin A. Every row below is pulled from the compound schema and will update as our data grows. For deeper reads, follow through to each compound page.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)
Omega 3 fish oil profile: EPA/DHA marine fatty acids, 2-4 g/day cuts triglycerides 20-30%, REDUCE-IT showed 25% cardiovascular risk reduction on icosapent eth.
Urolithin A
Urolithin A supplement guide: pomegranate-derived metabolite, 500-1000 mg Mitopure dosing, mitophagy and muscle endurance evidence.
Effects at a glance
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)
- •Reduces fasting triglycerides 20-50% at 2-4 g/day in hypertriglyceridemic patients
- •REDUCE-IT showed 25% relative risk reduction in major CV events at 4 g/day icosapent ethyl
- •Modest antidepressant effect (SMD ~0.40) for EPA-dominant formulations at 1-2 g/day
- •Atrial fibrillation incidence rises ~30-50% at 4 g/day; relevant for older patients with pre-existing CV disease
- •Tissue omega-3 index (RBC EPA + DHA) target ~8%; Western baseline typically 4-5%
- •Triglyceride and re-esterified triglyceride forms absorb ~70% better than ethyl esters in fasted state
Urolithin A
- •Gut-microbiome-derived metabolite of pomegranate and walnut ellagitannins
- •Roughly 40% of adults are 'urolithin producers' from dietary intake; ~60% are non-producers
- •Ryu 2016 (Nature Medicine) reported lifespan extension in C. elegans and muscle benefits in aged rodents
- •Andreux 2019 first-in-human trial (n=60) established safety and mitochondrial gene-expression upregulation
- •Singh 2022 (n=66, 4 months, 1000 mg/day) reported improved muscle endurance in older adults
- •Most human trial portfolio is Amazentis-funded; independent replication is thin
Side-by-side
| Attribute | Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) | Urolithin A |
|---|---|---|
| Category | supplement | supplement |
| Also known as | fish oil, EPA, DHA, marine omega-3 | UA, Mitopure, ellagitannin metabolite |
| Half-life (hr) ↗ | 48 | 17 |
| Typical dose (mg) ↗ | 2000 | 500 |
| Dosing frequency | 1 to 2 times daily with food | daily, morning with food |
| Routes | oral | oral |
| Onset (hr) | 4 | 2 |
| Peak (hr) | 12 | 4 |
| Molecular weight | 302.45 | 228.2 |
| Molecular formula | C20H30O2 (EPA); C22H32O2 (DHA) | C13H8O4 |
| Mechanism | Substitutes arachidonic acid in membrane phospholipids, shifting eicosanoid production toward less-inflammatory 3-series prostaglandins and 5-series leukotrienes. Activates PPAR-alpha to lower hepatic VLDL/triglyceride synthesis. DHA modulates synaptic membrane fluidity and neuronal function. | Induces mitophagy via potentiation of PINK1/Parkin signaling, leading to selective degradation of damaged mitochondria. Secondary anti-inflammatory effects via NF-kB modulation. |
| Legal status | Dietary supplement; prescription forms (icosapent ethyl, omega-3 acid ethyl esters) for severe hypertriglyceridemia | OTC dietary supplement (US GRAS 2018; EFSA Novel Food 2021) |
| WADA status | allowed | allowed |
| DEA / Rx | Not scheduled | OTC supplement (not scheduled) |
| Pregnancy | Recommended at 200 to 600 mg DHA/day for fetal development | Insufficient data; not routinely recommended |
| CAS | 10417-94-4 | 1143-70-0 |
| PubChem CID | 446284 | 5488186 |
| Wikidata | Q207688 | Q27101321 |
Safety profile
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA)
Common side effects
- fishy aftertaste
- eructation (fish burps)
- mild dyspepsia
- loose stools at high doses
Contraindications
- fish allergy (use algal omega-3 alternative)
- active bleeding disorders
- scheduled surgery (discontinue 5-7 days prior)
Interactions
- warfarin and DOACs: additive antiplatelet effect at 2+ g/day; meaningful bleeding risk(moderate)
- aspirin and antiplatelet agents: additive bleeding risk at high doses(moderate)
- statins: complementary cardiovascular effects; no pharmacokinetic interaction(minor)
- antiarrhythmics: high-dose omega-3 increases AF risk; relevant in pre-existing arrhythmia(moderate)
Urolithin A
Common side effects
- mild GI upset (rare)
- soft stools (rare)
Contraindications
- pregnancy and lactation (insufficient data)
- active chemotherapy (consult oncology)
Interactions
- chemotherapy agents: theoretical interaction with mitochondrial-targeting agents; consult oncologist(moderate)
Which Should You Take?
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) and Urolithin A score evenly on the criteria we weight (goal breadth, legal accessibility, evidence depth). The conditionals below should drive the decision more than any aggregate score.
- → If your priority is cardiovascular health, pick Omega-3 (EPA/DHA).
- → If your priority is focus or working memory, pick Omega-3 (EPA/DHA).
- → If your priority is muscle hypertrophy, pick Urolithin A.
- → If your priority is mitochondrial function, pick Urolithin A.
Default choice: either is defensible. Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) edges out on goal breadth + legal accessibility; Urolithin A is the right call if your priority sits in the goals listed above.
This verdict is generated from each compound's schema (goals, legal status, evidence outcomes, dosing route). It updates automatically as our compound data evolves; the deeper read sits on each individual compound page.
Common questions
What is the difference between Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) and Urolithin A?
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) and Urolithin A differ in category (supplement vs supplement), mechanism, and typical dosing. See the side-by-side table for full details.
Which has a longer half-life, Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) or Urolithin A?
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) half-life is 48 hours; Urolithin A half-life is 17 hours.
Can you stack Omega-3 (EPA/DHA) with Urolithin A?
Stack compatibility depends on mechanism overlap, legal status, and individual response. Check each compound page for specific interactions and contraindications before combining.
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