Docosahexaenoic Acid Molecular Structure
Docosahexaenoic Acid or DHA is a non-essential Omega-3 fatty acid. Non-essential means that it can be produced within the body. However, many people do not produce enough and thus, for optimum health, most need to supplement or consume it daily in their diet. DHA benefits many aspects of health centering on the brain, cognitive functioning, cardiovascular and immune systems. DHA concentrates in the Brain and readily crosses the Blood-Brain Barrier.
This excerpt from The National Institute of Health emphasizes the importance of DHA intake starting at birth. “Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is essential for the growth and functional development of the brain in infants. DHA is also required for maintenance of normal brain function in adults. The inclusion of plentiful DHA in the diet improves learning ability, whereas deficiencies of DHA are associated with deficits in learning. DHA is taken up by the brain in preference to other fatty acids. The turnover of DHA in the brain is very fast, more so than is generally realized. The visual acuity of healthy, full-term, formula-fed infants is increased when their formula includes DHA. During the last 50 years, many infants have been fed formula diets lacking DHA and other omega-3 fatty acids. DHA deficiencies are associated with foetal alcohol syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, cystic fibrosis, phenylketonuria, unipolar depression, aggressive hostility, and adrenoleukodystrophy. Decreases in DHA in the brain are associated with cognitive decline during aging and with onset of sporadic Alzheimer disease.”
The Health Benefits of DHA:
AGING PROCESS
• Levels in the Brain decline with the Aging Process.
• May prevent the Age-Related shortening of Telomeres.
CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
• Supplementation may reduce Arrhythmias by up to 50%
• Slows the progression of Atherosclerosis.
• Can prevent abnormal Blood Clotting.
• May lower Blood Pressure by increasing Prostaglandin E1 and inhibiting Aldosterone.
• May prevent Ischemic Heart Disease.
• Heart Attacks may be prevented by supplementation.
• Helps to prevent Strokes and the Dementia that follows a Stroke.
• Improves one’s total Cholesterol profile by increasing HDL Cholesterol (good Cholesterol) and lowering LDL Cholesterol (bad Cholesterol).
• Triglycerides may be reduced by up to 65% with supplementation.
• Can lower Homocysteine levels.
• Inhibits HMG-CoA Reductase.
• Fibrinogen levels may be reduced by supplementation.
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
• May protect the Small Intestine from the damage caused by Methotrexate therapy.
• Crohn’s Disease symptoms may be improved by supplementation.
• May prevent Ulcerative Colitis (UC).
• Helps to protect the Small Intestine from the damage caused by Methotrexate therapy.
EYES / VISION
• Helps prevent Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD).
• May prevent Cataracts.
• Helps prevent Dry Eyes.
• Glaucoma symptoms may be improved by supplementation.
• Can help prevent Nigh Blindness.
• Retinitis Pigmentosa patients are deficient and supplementation may alleviate symptoms.
• May improve sight by optimizing the function of the Retina.
• Highly concentrated in the Retina and may enhance the functioning of the Cones and Rods within the Eye.
• May protect Photoreceptors from Free-Radical damage.
IMMUNE SYSTEM
• May enhance the efficacy of some Cancer Drugs.
• DHA may be useful in the prevention and treatment of the following Cancers:
▪ Breast
▪ Colon
▪ Kidney
▪ Leukemia
▪ Liver
▪ Lung
▪ Melanoma
▪ Neuroblastoma
▪ Pancreatic
▪ Prostate
▪ Stomach
• Hepatitis C may be inhibited by supplementation.
• DHA reduces Inflammation.
• Can help to alleviate Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).
• May inhibit the Inflammation caused by Rhinoviruses.
• Can prevent Periodontal Disease.
• Inhibits excessive production of Interleukin 1 (IL1) and Interleukin 6 (IL6).
• May inhibit excessive production of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF).
METABOLISM
• May improve the condition of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) sufferers especially when combined with Linoleic Acid, Gamma-Linolenic Acid (GLA) and EPA.
• Cystic Fibrosis patients may be helped by supplementation.
• Helps prevent Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver.
• Insulin Resistance is reduced by supplementation.
• Weight Loss may be enhanced by supplementation.
• May reduce the Inflammation associated with Pancreatitis.
• Can increase Bone Mineral Density.
NERVOUS SYSTEM
• A deficiency can cause Aggressiveness.
• The Dementia that follows a Stroke can be reduced by supplementation.
• Alzheimer’s Disease patients are usually deficient and supplementation improves symptoms.
• Facilitates the removal of Amyloid-Beta Protein plaque from the Brain.
• May reduce Apathy and improve Motivation in the elderly.
• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) patients have been shown to be deficient and supplementation may improve symptoms.
• Autism patients have lower levels compared to healthy people.
• Improves most type of Depression including Major Depressive Disorder, Manic Depression and Postpartum Depression.
• Relapse into Drug Dependency is more likely if you are deficient.
• Dyslexia may be improved by supplementation.
• Can reduce seizure frequency in Epilepsy patients.
• Helps to reduce the severity of Brain and Spinal Cord Injuries.
• Mania may be caused by low levels.
• Can reduce the severity of Mental Retardation.
• Multiple Sclerosis patients have been found to be deficient.
• Some cases of Neuropathy are caused by deficiency.
• May reduce Pain.
• May prevent Parkinson’s Disease.
• Schizophrenia patients have low levels.
• Can counteract some of the toxic effects of Stress.
• Administered to Women during Lactation may increase the Intelligence of their offspring.
• A deficiency during fetal development and early infancy may lead to permanent Learning Disabilities. Supplementation during this period may increase Intelligence.
• May improve Memory in healthy adults.
• Highly concentrated in the Brain and supplementation may:
▪ Increase Gray Matter in the Amygdala
▪ Enhance Nerve Growth Factor-induced outgrowth (regeneration) of Axons
▪ Stimulate the growth of Dendrites
▪ Protect the Brain from the toxic after-effects of Stroke
▪ Prevent shrinkage of the Hypothalamus
▪ Prevent shrinkage of Neurons
▪ Protect the Brain from damage from Cerebral Insufficiency / Hypoxia
▪ Increase Dopamine levels
▪ Increase Acetylcholine levels
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
• May prevent Bronchitis.
• Symptoms of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) may be improved by supplementation.
• May prevent Emphysema.
• Improves overall Lung function.
• People with Sleep Apnea often have low levels.
SEXUAL SYSTEM (Female)
• Supplementation during Pregnancy may improve birth weight, Attention Span, Learning Ability, Memory and Intelligence of offspring.
• May lower elevated Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) levels.
SEXUAL SYSTEM (Male)
• Male Infertility may be alleviated by supplementation.
• May lower elevated Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG) levels.
SKIN
• Can alleviate Atopic Eczema.
• Symptoms of Psoriasis are improved with supplementation.
DHA Supplement Benefits
USAGE
The optimal intake of DHA is 600-2,200 mg per day. A proposed RDI for adults is 650mg daily. The average Western diet only supplies 100mg of DHA daily. DHA should be taken during or after meals. Vegetarians are well advised to supplement with DHA as long term vegetarians exhibit low levels. Consuming Alcohol depletes the body of this important fatty acid.
CAUTIONS:
• DHA can increase the effectiveness of certain blood thinners. If you supplement with DHA please check with your physician regarding this interaction as the dosage of your blood thinning medication may need to be reduced. DO NOT REDUCE YOUR MEDICATION without first checking with your doctor.
Receive my personal support with each verifiable purchase made through this site.
Get answers to your questions either by
email or telephone.
Take advantage of my 35 plus years of experience as a researcher and healer.
Just use the CONTACT form to initiate the process.