Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) is an essential fatty acid containing 22 carbon bonds, but unlike its ’cousin’ DHA it only has 5 (cis) double bonds. Not a great deal is known about how DPA contributes to the overall efficacy of Omega 3, but increased research is under way to gain a better understanding. We do know that it needs both EPA and DHA to function, and is thought to be contributory towards overall general health.
Seal oil is quite high in DPA and some researchers feel that it may be a contributing factor to the overall good cardiovascular health of the Eskimos.