pure EPA (and possibly GLA, but no DHA) sources?

I'm looking for pure EPA instead of fish oil or krill oil. I believe that EPA + GLA, would help much better in absence of DHA. These guys seem to agree with me: http://www.naturespurest.co.nz/about/why-the-emphasis-on-epa.aspx

I've so far found the following sources, none of which is particularly cheap:

• http://www.naturespurest.co.nz/shop/vegepa-e-epa-70.aspx
  
• http://www.vascepa.com/savings-program.html
  
• http://www.mind1st.co.uk/omega_3_info/
  

Any other *cheaper* source that you guys know of?

There is a 35 years old patent for regrowing hair on 6000mg of Evening Primrose Oil + some fish oil concentrate.
http://www.freepatentsonline.com/EP0309086.html
http://www.google.com/patents/EP0309086A1?cl=en

In the past, I was taking 2400mg of fish oil a day, but it was thinning my blood too much and I eventually gave up. I didn't see great results from it and I suspect it was pro-inflammatory and counterproductive instead.

How could it be that the addition of Evening Primrose Oil to Fish Oil changes the outcome so much?

Eicosapentaenoic Acid (EPA) from Fish Oil prevents D5D from transforming DGLA from the GLA in Evening Primrose Oil into Arachidonic Acid (AA):

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10917903 - Addition of eicosapentaenoic acid to gamma-linolenic acid-supplemented diets prevents serum arachidonic acid accumulation in humans.

I suspect that by taking GLA + EPA we will induce more production of PGE1 (just as by applying Minoxidil). We will also reduce the production of PGE2, PGF2a, PGI2 and PGF1a.
https://i.imgur.com/zy2LKNB.jpg

Apparently this worked out well for the subject of that study. But even if you are worried about reducing the production of endogenous PGE2, consider the following: PGE2 has a half life of 8.8 +/- 3.4 h. This pans out decently well for the application of exogenous PGE2. On the contrary, PGE1 has a half-life in the minutes range. So it's a pretty bad candidate for exogenous supplementation.

EPO is not the only candidate oil for getting our GLA. The full list includes:

• Borage Oil (BO)
  
• Evening Primrose Oil (EPO)
  
• Black Currant Oil (BCO)
  

Some research suggests that high-levels of amabiline, a PA present in BO, could be carcinogenic and may cause liver damage. So, EPO and BCO should be preferred to BO as a source of GLA.

BCO not only has GLA but has also Stearidonic Acid which is readily converted into EPA. But it has much less GLA than EPO.

Ideally we would source just pure Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Gamma Linolenic Acid powders, if possible, and in a ratio of 2 EPA to 1 GLA - I need to do more research on that.

But the connection between EPA+GLA and hair growth doesn't seem to stop at prostaglandins, but also brings in our old nemesis - DHT:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21667400
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12589947
Now, let me throw in the mix one more thing: Zinc - proven successful by the likes of Super Zix II.

"We were interested to read the suggestion by Drs Schroeter and Tucker (Archives 114:800, 1978) that zinc may enhance the conversion of essential fatty acids to prostaglandins. They pointed out that this could explain the similar effects of essential fatty acids and zinc on the skin.We have come to a similar conclusion and have provided evidence that zinc may have a specific effect in enhancing the formation of prostaglandins of the E1 series. This indicates that wherever either zinc or essential fatty acid therapy has been found effective, there may be an advantage in adding the other agent to the regimen. We have conducted preliminary studies using zinc sulfate (30 mg/day) and evening primrose oil (3.0 mL/ day). Evening primrose oil is a uniquely rich source of essential fatty acids since it contains 9% of γ-linolenic acid as well as 72% of linoleic acid. [...]"

from: http://archderm.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=540226&resultclick=1

"The similarities of zinc and EFA deficiency include growth retardation, alopecia, keratosis, gastrointestinal distress and malabsorption, infertility, disrupted parturition, reduced immunoresponsiveness, capillary fragility, increased permeability of the skin to water and delayed wound healing."

from: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0163782781900291

I promise I will try to find the full text for the following articles when I will have more time in 2-3 weeks or so:

http://archderm.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=540226
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0163782782900170
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0163782781901120
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0163782781900291

this

http://www.longevitywarehouse.com/veggie-omega-3-60-softgels

but don't buy it

I don't see why not, shouldn't be an issue with it going rancid. The astaxanthin should prevent that to a degree. However, the price is certainly prohibitive.....

iuyyighghghgkh wrote:this

http://www.longevitywarehouse.com/veggie-omega-3-60-softgels

but don't buy it

Of course I won't buy it. It's the exact opposite of what I have been asking for. I am looking for EPA with no or little DHA. That supplement provides an "Optimal ratio of DHA to EPA of 2:1".