DHA
fish oils
DHA
softgel dha study dha and epa fish oils
DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid made from a fatty acid
called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is found predominantly in
Flaxseed oil (also
known as linseed) and hemp seed oil. Green leafy vegetables, soybeans, walnuts, and canola
oil have small amounts of omega-3 fatty acids.
Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial because
they provide fluidity to cell membranes and improve communication between brain cells.
Omega-3s also reduce the clotting ability of platelets, thus potentially decreasing the
incidence of heart attacks and strokes. Two very important omega-3 fatty acids are eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA). They are found in seafood,
especially mackerel, salmon, striped bass, rainbow trout, halibut, tuna, and sardines.
Supplements of fish oils that contain EPA and DHA are sold over the counter. DHA is also
sold by itself. In the body, DHA is found mostly in the brain, retina, and in sperm. DHA
plays an important role in
eyesight.
You may also consider reading about
krill oil or to buy
Krill-Oil. For helpful hints on
diet. Click on
Omega 3 for more
info.
DHA Benefits
Fish and fish oils may be beneficial in reducing the risk for
heart disease, heart
arrhythmias, mental decline, and may also help reduce symptoms of
osteoarthritis and several
autoimmune conditions. Eating fish and perhaps taking fish oil supplements may also help
reduce the risk for macular degeneration.
Fish oils are found in sperm, and these oils may support healthy sexual
organ function.
Depressed patients who receive a daily dose of 1
gram of an omega-3 fatty acid for 12 weeks experience a decrease in their
symptoms, such as sadness, anxiety and sleeping problems.
DHA Seeing is Believing
The rods and cones of the retina in the eyes are very rich
in DHA. Hence, a deficiency in dietary fish oils will reduce the photoreceptor activity of
retinal cells, and thus reduce visual acuity. On the other hand, supplementation with fish
oils (or flaxseed oil) could lead to visual improvement with enhanced color perception.
Since levels of DHA in the brain decline with
age, it is likely that the levels of DHA also decline in the retina. Is it possible that
daily intake of fish oils can improve vision in older individuals? Hopefully future
research can give us some answers.
Eyesight-Rx helps with vision improvement.
Reduce the risk of sudden death with omega-3s
Increasing dietary omega-3 fatty acids, which come from fatty fish or
flaxseed oil, and decreasing omega-6 fatty acids, found in plant seed oils such as corn,
safflower, and sunflower, is a way to reduce the risk of sudden death from irregular heart
rhythms or heart attacks.
One cause of sudden death is ventricular
fibrillation, in which the heart contracts in a fast and chaotic rhythm that makes it
unable to pump blood to the rest of the body. A number of factors including cigarette use,
fasting, diabetes, hyperthyroidism or heart attack can trigger the release of fatty acids
from adipose tissue.
Fats that we eat are stored in adipose (fat)
tissue. When these fats are released from their storage sites, they become free fatty
acids. But not all fatty acids are equal in their propensity to cause arrhythmias. High
levels of omega-6 fatty acids may encourage arrhythmias if their levels aren’t
balanced by omega-3 fatty acids.
Comments: a year ago the American
Heart Association revised its dietary recommendations to include advice to eat two meals
of fatty fish – such as salmon or halibut – per week. I recommend those who
don’t eat fish to take 3 to 5 fish oil capsules or a teaspoon of flaxseed oil per day
and to try reducing their intake of omega-6 oils.
Fish Oil Interactions with Medicines
Taking fish oil capsules can thin the blood even more when taken along
with warfarin (Coumadin)... see study below.
Fish Oil, DHA, Research Update
People who ate an average of 180 mg or more a day of DHA had about 40%
less Alzheimer's disease and other dementia,
compared with people who consumed less DHA, according to epidemiologic data
collected in the Framingham Heart Study.
Smart Eating for a Smarter Baby
The brain is largely made of fat, and the types of fat we consume can have an
influence on how well our brain functions. Most studies show that fish oils (DHA
and EPA) are essential to optimal brain function. But does maternal diet
influence brain development of the child? There is a growth spurt in the human
brain during the last trimester of pregnancy and the first postnatal months,
with a large increase in the cerebral content of DHA. The fetus and the newborn
infant depend on maternal supply of DHA. Sometimes maternal intake of DHA during
pregnancy and lactation is marginal. Researchers at the University of Oslo in
Norway examined the effect of supplementing pregnant and lactating women with
cod liver oil on mental development of the children, compared with maternal
supplementation with corn oil. The study was randomized and double-blinded. A
total of 590 pregnant women were recruited in week 18 of pregnancy to take daily
10 mL of cod liver oil or corn oil until 3 months after delivery. The cod liver
oil contains DHA and EPA. The corn oil contains linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic
acid. All infants of these women were scheduled for assessment of cognitive
function at 6 and 9 months of age. As part of the protocol, 135 subjects from
this population were invited for intelligence testing with the Kaufman
Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC) at 4 years of age. The K-ABC is a
measure of intelligence and achievement designed for children aged 2.5 years
through 12.5 years. Children who were born to mothers who had taken cod liver
oil during pregnancy and lactation scored higher on the Mental Processing
Composite of the K-ABC at 4 years of age as compared with children whose mothers
had taken corn oil. Comments: Women who are pregnant may consider
eating more fish, taking cod liver oil or fish oil supplements in consultation
with their obstetrician.
Press release by Martek regarding
DHA and hypertension
Martek's life's DHA from microalgae successfully reduces diastolic blood
pressure in middle-aged subjects, according to an independent study published in
the April 2007 issue of the Journal of Nutrition. The study, conducted at King's
College, London, reported a significant reduction in diastolic blood pressure by
DHA. The investigators noted that this reduction is likely to be of clinical
significance with regard to risk of future vascular events. This is the first
study to assess the effects on blood pressure of intakes of DHA alone at less
than 1.0 g per day. The study was neither funded nor sponsored by Martek
Biosciences, but used Martek's life's DHA as its algal DHA source. The study
involved 38 middle-aged subjects with an average age of 49 and an average blood
pressure of 122/79 mmHg. Subjects randomly received either a 0.7 g per day of
DHA or placebo for three months. Diastolic blood pressure decreased by an
average of 3.3 mmHg. No significant changes occurred in systolic blood pressure.
The daily DHA supplement increased DHA levels in red blood cells (erythrocytes)
by 58 percent.
Martek's life's DHA is a vegetarian form of DHA omega-3, a long
chain omega-3 fatty acid that serves as a primary building block for the brain
and the eye and supports brain, eye and cardiovascular health throughout life.
There is a large and growing body of scientific evidence demonstrating that
people of all ages, from infants to aging adults, benefit from an adequate
supply of DHA omega-3 in the diet. Scientific reviews have noted the importance
of DHA omega-3 in proper brain and eye development and function, and there are
clinical studies underway to evaluate its role in decreasing the prevalence of
certain neurological disorders. Yet despite its importance, Americans have among
the lowest dietary intakes of DHA omega-3 in the world. Martek's life's DHA is
derived from a sustainable and vegetarian source. Made from microalgae under
tightly controlled manufacturing conditions, DHA is free of oceanic contaminants
that may be present in certain fish or fish oils. Microalgae are the only
vegetarian source of DHA omega-3, the key omega-3 for brain and eye development
and function.
Martek Biosciences Corporation is a leader in the innovation and
development of DHA omega-3 products that promote health and wellness through
every stage of life. The Company produces life's DHA, a sustainable and
vegetarian source of DHA omega-3, for use in foods, beverages, infant formula,
and supplements, and ARA (arachidonic acid), an omega-6 fatty acid, for use in
infant formula.
Fish oil supplements contain no mercury
ConsumerLab.com, an independent evaluator of dietary supplements and nutrition
products, released results of its product review of Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA &
DHA) from fish oils. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
are fatty acids that have been shown to help reduce cardiovascular disease,
reduce the pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, as well as showing promise
in the treatment of a number of other conditions. A concern with fish oil
products has been potential contamination with mercury. ConsumerLab.com
purchased 20 dietary supplements containing EPA and/or DHA and tested them for
their claimed levels of these ingredients as stated on the label, as well as for
mercury contamination and evidence of decomposition. Although six of the
products had lower levels of EPA/DHA as stated on the label, none of the twenty
products showed evidence of decomposition and none were found to contain
detectable levels of mercury.
DHA in organic milk - press
release
In may of 2007, Horizon Organic introduced organic milk fortified with
DHA omega-3. Studies have shown that DHA nutrient, traditionally found in breast
milk and now in most infant formulas, plays a positive role in children's heart,
brain and eye health. According to Stanford University pediatrician Dr. Alan
Greene, M.D., F.A.A.P, Horizon Organic Milk Plus DHA assists parents to
transition children to regular milk from breastfeeding or infant formula without
sacrificing the benefits of DHA. All Horizon Organic products are certified
organic, produced without the use of antibiotics, added growth hormones or
pesticides. Horizon Organic Milk Plus DHA is produced with Martek Biosciences'
life's DHA - an all-vegetarian and sustainable source of DHA omega-3 that
doesn't alter the flavor of the original milk product. DHA omega-3 is a
long-chain omega-3 fatty acid that serves as a primary building block for the
brain and the eyes and supports brain, eye and cardiovascular health throughout
life. Research studies link DHA omega-3 to a range of important health benefits
including heart health and proper brain and eye function. There also is a large
and growing body of scientific evidence demonstrating that people of all ages,
from infants to aging adults, benefit from an adequate supply of DHA omega-3 in
the diet. Horizon Organic is joining forces with Dr. Alan Greene, M.D., to
underscore its commitment to provide parents with products they need to maintain
the health of their children without sacrificing good taste. Dr. Alan Greene,
M.D.,, attending pediatrician at the Lucile Packard Hospital at Stanford
University and author of From First Kicks to First Steps, has created a
comprehensive organic food guide for parents considering a switch to organic
foods.
Comments: It is not clear at this time whether addition of DHA
without EPA would cause any long term problems.
Home - Tribulus terrestris extract dha fish oils and dha epa and docosahexanoic acid research dha for vision, fish oils and omega 3