What’s the Deal with DHA?

If you’ve been reading a lot about fish oil or omega fatty acids recently, you’ve probably come across the term “DHA”, which stands for docosahexaenoic acid. So, what’s the big deal with DHA? Not to worry – we’re here to break it down for you. DHA is actually a pretty powerful ingredient found in many fish oil supplements and its health benefits can be beneficial to just about everyone. So, let’s dig into DHA, shall we?

DHA is a fatty acid that is found in cold water fish, such as tuna, salmon, cod liver, mackerel, halibut and herring. In most cases, you see DHA mentioned alongside EPA, which is something different (eicosapentaenoic acid). Actually, DHA can be converted into EPA in the body, so the two don’t always have to go together, but they usually are combined because of their respective health benefits.

DHA and EPA have been used together for quite some time for addressing a variety of health concerns, ranging from heart disease and cancer to painful menstruation and certain kidney diseases. Overall, both ingredients are found most commonly in fish oil supplements, which we all know have vast benefits for the cardiovascular system.

DHA on its own has been used in the treatment of coronary artery disease, dementia, ADHD, type 2 diabetes, depression, and macular degeneration. How does it work exactly? Well, in a nutshell, it plays an important roles in the development of eye and nerve tissues while also having benefits for the circulatory system, as it reduces the risk of heart and circulatory disease by thickening blood and lowering blood levels of triglycerides.

But besides fish oil, you may see DHA used in combination with evening primrose oil, thyme oil, and even vitamin E.

DHA can be obtained through eating some of the cold water fish mentioned above, or by taking an supplement that contains DHA, such as fish oil. For example, we highly recommend Nordic Naturals fish oils for their quality as well as their containment of DHA.

Want to learn more about DHA? Have questions? Give us a call and we’d be happy to help!