Home > Glossary > D E FDHA is an essential fatty acid; the highest sources of which are fish oils (such as tuna and bluefish). As the most abundant essential fatty acid (polyunsaturated fatty acids, PUFA’s) in the brain and retina, DHA has a large effect on cognition. There is less DHA available in the average diet than has been in the past, due to several reasons including cattle being taken off grass before butchering and eggs produced in factory farming instead of naturally. Vegans and vegetarians have markedly low levels of DHA in the body. DHA can be manufactured as a vegetarian product by a patented process from algae, costing approximately twice as much as fish oil. DHA is needed by a growing foetus for optimal functional maturation of the central nervous system and retina. It is incorporated into the cells of the liver, brain and retina, by the foetus, at a rate of 590mg per day during the third trimester of pregnancy. However Australian women have been estimated to have an average intake of a mere 15 mg DHA per day. DHA supplementation has been shown to significantly increase duration of gestation and birth weight when taken during the third trimester. DHA is present in breast milk and has been added to some infant formulas. The DHA content of breast milk is directly correlated with the maternal dietary intake. Postnatal DHA may improve vision and cognitive functions in infants and toddlers. As such it can have beneficial effects on the learning capabilities and academic performance of children. Omega-6 oils compete with the metabolism and consequently deplete omega-3 levels – therefore impacting on DHA availability. Supplementation can overcome the lack of dietary fish intake and provide assurance that sources are heavy metal free. |
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