Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid, which means it is categorized as an essential fatty acid.
Research has shown that DHA can lower the amount of triglycerides in the blood. This is beneficial because large amounts of triglycerides are associated with heart disease, though the precise nature of the association is unclear. Taking pure DHA seems to be equally effective to taking fish oils, which is the traditional way to reduce the amount of triglycerides in people who have a high risk of heart disease. Fish oil contains both DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid.
Studies show that DHA is integral to the proper development of the optical and nervous systems in babies. Studies suggest that DHA plays important role in the nervous system far beyond infancy, but we do not know to what extent.
Healthy juvenile males who took DHA supplements demonstrated a reduction in the amount of immune cell activity, including the activity of natural killer cells and the cells that determine inflammation. This means that DHA works as an anti-inflammatory which makes it valuable to patients with autoimmune disorders. However, the potential advantages of taking DHA need to be assessed against the risk of taking it, since it can make the body more susceptible to infection.
by the Harvard School of Public Health
It has been asked by millions of people “If you eat a healthy diet, do you need to take vitamins?” Not very long ago, the common answer from most experts and professionals would have been an emphatic "no". However, today there's quite a bit of evidence that taking a daily multivitamin makes good sense for most adults.
by the Mayoclinic Staff
Given the popularity and availability of “high potency” amino acids, antioxidants, enzymes and herbs, it might seem like dietary supplements could replace food as a source of the nutrients the body requires. However, this is not the case.
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