The American Heart Association has endorsed omega-3 fatty acids as good for the heart, and supportive but inconclusive research shows that the consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) is one of the omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are often deficient in the American diet today. Studies indicate that increasing the intake of EPAs may provide added protection against coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, and inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid essential to the proper functioning of our brains as adults. Lack of sufficient DHA may be associated with impaired mental ability as well as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Further research is needed to confirm this for certain.