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June 11, 2025

Omega-3 Benefits Proven in the JELIS Trial for Heart Health

The JELIS trial proved that high-dose EPA omega-3s reduce heart attacks and strokes. Find out how Omega 1300 delivers these powerful cardiovascular benefits.

Omega-3 Benefits Proven in the JELIS Trial for Heart Health

Omega-3 Benefits Proven in the JELIS Trial: A Game Changer in Heart Health

Introduction

Heart disease is still the leading cause of death globally. But what if we told you a naturally occurring fat—EPA, a type of omega-3—can significantly reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke?

In 2007, the Japan EPA Lipid Intervention Study (JELIS) shook the cardiology world by proving that EPA omega-3 supplementation, added to statin therapy, reduced cardiovascular events by 19%.

Since then, the study has become a cornerstone of preventive cardiology, sparking additional research and shifting how clinicians think about essential fatty acids. Yet most fish oil supplements on store shelves fall far short of delivering the dose and purity used in JELIS.

In this comprehensive article, we’ll walk you through:

  • What the JELIS trial showed

  • How EPA works to reduce heart disease

  • What makes Omega 1300 different (and better) than common fish oil

  • Who benefits most from EPA-based therapy

  • How to choose the right omega-3 supplement

What Was the JELIS Trial?

Trial Overview

  • Full Name: Japan EPA Lipid Intervention Study

  • Published: 2007 in The Lancet

  • Design: Prospective, randomized, open-label, blinded endpoint study

  • Participants: 18,645 Japanese adults with high cholesterol

  • Duration: 5 years

  • Baseline Therapy: All participants received a statin (simvastatin 5 mg/day or pravastatin 10 mg/day)

  • Intervention Group: Statin + 1.8 grams/day of EPA (ethyl-eicosapentaenoic acid)

  • Control Group: Statin alone

Primary Endpoint

  • Major coronary events: sudden cardiac death, fatal/nonfatal myocardial infarction (MI), unstable angina, or revascularization

Results

Metric Statin Alone Statin + EPA Risk Reduction
Major Coronary Events 3.5% 2.8% 19% Relative Risk Reduction
Secondary Prevention Patients Higher risk Larger benefit ~25% RRR
Adverse Effects Low Low No safety issues with EPA

The takeaway? Adding pure EPA to statin therapy meaningfully reduces cardiovascular events—even in people whose LDL cholesterol is already well controlled.

Why EPA Omega-3 Works: The Science Behind the Results

The results of the JELIS trial are not a fluke—they reflect the deep biological importance of EPA in human cardiovascular health.

1. Reduces Inflammation

EPA inhibits production of:

  • Pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6)

  • Arachidonic acid-derived prostaglandins and leukotrienes

At the same time, it stimulates pro-resolving lipid mediators like:

  • Resolvins

  • Protectins

  • Maresins

These molecules help clear inflammatory debris and resolve inflammation intelligently.

2. Stabilizes Arterial Plaques

EPA integrates into cell membranes, reducing oxidative stress and membrane cholesterol crystallization—key drivers of plaque rupture.

3. Improves Endothelial Function

EPA enhances nitric oxide availability, helping arteries dilate more easily, reducing blood pressure and improving circulation.

4. Reduces Triglycerides

High triglycerides are an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis. EPA reduces liver triglyceride production and boosts clearance from the bloodstream.

5. Reduces Thrombosis Risk

By modulating platelet aggregation, EPA reduces the risk of blood clots, one of the leading causes of stroke and sudden cardiac death.

What Made JELIS Unique?

  • Pure EPA Only: Unlike most omega-3 trials that use a mix of EPA and DHA, JELIS used EPA alone, eliminating confounding factors.

  • High Dose: The 1.8g/day EPA dose used was far higher than what's found in standard supplements.

  • Long Follow-Up: 5 years of follow-up allowed for robust cardiovascular endpoint analysis.

  • Well-Controlled LDL: Since all participants were on statins, the cardiovascular benefit was independent of LDL reduction—meaning EPA works via different pathways.

How Does JELIS Compare to Other Omega-3 Trials?

Trial Dose & Form Participants Result
JELIS (2007) 1.8g EPA 18,645 19% ↓ major coronary events
REDUCE-IT (2018) 4g EPA (Icosapent Ethyl) 8,179 25% ↓ CV events
GISSI-Prevenzione (1999) 1g EPA/DHA 11,324 15% ↓ death, 20% ↓ CV death
VITAL (2019) 1g EPA/DHA 25,871 No significant CV benefit
STRENGTH (2020) 4g EPA/DHA 13,078 No benefit; trial stopped early

Takeaway:

  • EPA-only formulations work best, especially at higher doses

  • Mixed EPA/DHA (especially if low-dose or ethyl ester form) underperform

  • Quality, dose, and form all matter!

What About DHA? Why Didn’t JELIS Use It?

DHA is another essential omega-3, but its roles are more structural—particularly in the brain and retina. However, DHA can raise LDL cholesterol slightly, which may counteract some of its cardiovascular benefits.

That’s why pure EPA was used in JELIS—to isolate cardiovascular effects without the confounding influence of DHA.

Clinical Implications: Who Should Take EPA?

Patients who benefit most from EPA include:

  • Those with elevated triglycerides

  • People with metabolic syndrome or insulin resistance

  • Individuals with atherosclerosis or plaque buildup

  • Those with inflammatory biomarkers (CRP, IL-6, TNF-α)

  • Patients post-MI, PCI, or CABG

  • Anyone with family history of heart disease

Why Most Fish Oil Supplements Fall Short

The majority of store-bought fish oils:

  • Contain only 250–300mg of EPA/DHA per softgel

  • Use ethyl ester forms, which have poor absorption

  • Are prone to oxidation, which reduces efficacy and increases inflammation

  • Lack third-party testing for purity and potency

Why Omega 1300 Is the JELIS-Level Supplement You Need

Omega 1300 was designed to replicate the clinical benefits of high-dose EPA shown in JELIS, while also delivering a superior absorption mechanism.

What Sets Omega 1300 Apart?

Feature Omega 1300
EPA/DHA per capsule 860 mg (600mg EPA)
Form Monoglyceride (pre-digested)
Absorption Up to 3x better than ethyl esters
Purity Pharmaceutical-grade, 3rd-party tested
Oxidation Protected against rancidity
Dosage Only 1–2 capsules daily to match JELIS levels

Omega 1300 vs. Generic Fish Oil

Metric Generic Fish Oil Omega 1300
EPA per capsule ~180 mg 600 mg
Absorption Low (ethyl ester) High (monoglyceride)
Capsule Count to Match JELIS 10+ per day 3 per day
Oxidation Risk High Low
Clinical Support None Matches JELIS trial dose

How to Take Omega 1300 for Cardiovascular Protection

  • Preventive dose: 1 capsule twice daily

  • Post-MI or high triglycerides: 2–3 capsules daily (under supervision)

  • Inflammatory conditions: May combine with Curcumin Complex, AllerFX, or BPC-157

  • Stack with statins or other cardioprotective medications as per your provider

Other Benefits Beyond the Heart

While the JELIS trial focused on cardiovascular endpoints, EPA also benefits:

  • Joint health: Reduces stiffness and arthritis symptoms

  • Cognitive function: Lowers neuroinflammation

  • Eye health: Supports retina integrity

  • Mood disorders: Enhances serotonin signaling and reduces depressive symptoms

Omega-3 Index: Testing Your EPA/DHA Levels

Consider getting your Omega-3 Index, which measures EPA/DHA in red blood cell membranes.

Omega-3 Index Risk Interpretation
<4% High CVD risk
4–8% Moderate
>8% Optimal (JELIS levels)

Use this test to guide dosing and ensure therapeutic EPA levels.

Final Thoughts

The JELIS trial proved what many clinicians already suspected—that high-dose, pure EPA omega-3 supplementation reduces cardiovascular events significantly, even when cholesterol is already well managed.

But to get the same benefits seen in JELIS, you need:

  • The right dose

  • The right form

  • The right purity and stability

Omega 1300 delivers all three—with 860 mg of EPA/DHA per capsule in a pre-digested, highly absorbable monoglyceride form.

Ready to Protect Your Heart Like the JELIS Trial?

Thousands of patients have already experienced the anti-inflammatory and cardioprotective benefits of Omega 1300.

✅ Trusted by integrative cardiologists
✅ Third-party tested for purity
✅ Backed by clinical science

🫀 Order Omega 1300 now and take a proactive step toward a healthier heart—starting today.

References

  1. Yokoyama M, et al. Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid on major coronary events in hypercholesterolaemic patients. The Lancet. 2007.

  2. Bhatt DL, et al. Cardiovascular risk reduction with icosapent ethyl for hypertriglyceridemia. N Engl J Med. 2019.

  3. Serhan CN. Pro-resolving lipid mediators in the inflammatory response. Nature. 2014.

  4. Mozaffarian D. Fish consumption, omega-3 fatty acids, and cardiovascular disease. Circulation. 2005.

  5. Harris WS. Omega-3 index and cardiovascular risk. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2010.