Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

DHA is the most important omega-3 PUFA for proper cell membrane function and is essential to the normal development of the brain and eye.²

Supply of DHA is particularly important early in life,¹ and levels of DHA have been shown to accumulate in the foetal brain during the last trimester of pregnancy and continue up to the end of the second year of life.⁸ It is therefore important for pregnant and breastfeeding women to get enough DHA in their diet to support their baby's brain and eye development.¹

DHA may also influence cognition and IQ.^5,6 Studies suggest that DHA intake supports normal IQ,⁶ and preserves cognitive functions like spatial learning and memory,⁹ contributing to optimal brain function.

DHA, along with other long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, has been shown to have a positive effect on heart health and may help reduce the risk of heart disease.¹

Sources of DHA

Although it is possible for the body to produce DHA from other fatty acids, only a small amount can be made from this process so DHA is essential in the diet.²

DHA is mainly found in oily fish such as mackerel, herring, sardines, salmon, tuna and other seafood.

DHA is important for normal brain development and function.1 Low DHA levels during pregnancy and early life has been associated with poor neural development, decreased learning ability and ADHD in children.^7,13

DHA is found in cell membranes of photoreceptors in the eye. A deficiency in DHA reduces the activity of rhodopsin, a protein located in the eye that is responsible for sending visual signals to the brain, thereby resulting in impaired vision.¹⁴

Low levels of DHA have been associated with increased risk of heart disease. Studies have shown that higher intakes of DHA and other omega-3 fatty acids, can help reduce heart disease and death by improving risk factors such as blood pressure, cholesterol and inflammation.^1,12

Did you know?

DHA helps with certain learning outcomes, visual acuity and brain development.^2,5,6,9