Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA): benefits, dosage, contraindications

Eye health
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The EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) has concluded positively on DHA's contribution to maintaining normal vision. Published data suggest that infants not receiving DHA from breast milk or formula have delayed visual acuity development compared to those receiving adequate DHA. DHA is essential for normal neuronal function and plays a key role in developing neural and synaptic membranes, particularly retinal and visual functions. Moreover, studies show that taking omega 3 (DHA and EPA) can reduce the risk of developing AMD (age-related macular degeneration).

Posologie

Oral administration

280 mg

fish oil

Synergies

Child development
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The EFSA has published a positive opinion on DHA's contribution to maintaining normal brain functions in children and adults. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids represent a third of all lipids in brain matter. Studies show that insufficient intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids like DHA during fetal and child development is considered a factor in developing behavioral, functional, and neurological disorders.

Posologie

Oral administration

200 - 250 mg

4 - months

fish oil

Dyslipidemia
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Clinical evidence suggests that taking 1.25 to 4 g of DHA per day for 7 weeks can reduce triglyceride levels by 17% to 24% in patients with dyslipidemia or hypertriglyceridemia. Most clinical research suggests that DHA neither decreases total cholesterol nor HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoproteins).

Posologie

Oral administration

1.25 - 4 g

7 - days

Adults

fish oil

Pregnancy
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DHA is present in human breast milk and found in the plasma and cerebral cortex of infants. Pregnancy can lead to long-term effects on DHA stores in women. However, maternal DHA levels likely normalize within one year after pregnancy. There appears to be a preferential transfer of DHA through the placenta. Maternal DHA supplementation at 200 mg/day from the 15th week of pregnancy or during the third trimester might normalize DHA levels in the mother. Maternal DHA levels tend to decrease significantly during the third trimester of pregnancy. Omega 3 supplementation, particularly DHA, could prevent some pregnancy-related complications like hypertension or eclampsia. High-quality clinical studies show that DHA supplementation also reduces the risk of premature birth.

Posologie

Oral route

200 - 1000 mg

17 - weeks

Pregnant women

fish oil

Fetal Development
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DHA accumulates rapidly in the human brain during the third trimester of pregnancy and early postnatal period. The accumulation of DHA and other fatty acids at this stage leads to rapid development and growth of brain tissue. Furthermore, some data suggest that infants who do not receive DHA in breast milk have delayed visual acuity development compared to those who receive an adequate amount of DHA.

Posologie

Oral route

400 - 600 mg

Pregnant women

fish oil

Dementia
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Studies have shown that an increase of 0.1 g per day in dietary DHA intake was associated with a 14% reduced risk of dementia when taken over 2 to 21 years. However, no dose-response relationship was found. Other clinical studies suggest that taking 0.72 grams of DHA per day for one year improves dementia symptoms in patients with dementia due to cerebral vascular thrombosis. Preliminary clinical research conducted on patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease shows that taking 500 mg of DHA daily in fish oil combined with carotenoids (Lutein and Zeaxanthin) for 12 months slightly improved memory and mood compared to placebo. According to researchers, oxidized derivatives of DHA are involved in Alzheimer's disease. DHA seems to be a target of oxidative attack in this disease. Without certainty on the cause-effect relationship of oxidation in Alzheimer's disease, it is recommended to protect DHA reserves in the brain with DHA supplementation associated with antioxidants like vitamin E.

Posologie

Oral route

500 mg

1 - years

fish oil

Synergies

Cognitive Decline
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Preliminary clinical studies show that taking 12 mg of lutein, alone or with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), at 800 mg per day for 4 months, can improve verbal fluency and memory scores compared to baseline levels in older women. Another randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial showed that oral DHA supplementation (2 g/day) for 12 months in older subjects with mild cognitive impairment had a beneficial effect on overall cognitive function. Results suggest that DHA supplementation over 12 months significantly increased hippocampal volume. The hippocampus is a brain region essential for memory formation and plays a significant role in the consolidation of information from short-term memory to long-term memory and spatial navigation.

Posologie

Oral route

800 - 2000 mg

4 - months

Women, Seniors

fish oil

Synergies

Coronary Heart Disease
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Increased dietary intake of DHA may reduce the risk of death in patients with coronary heart disease. It is noted that studies emphasize a cardioprotective effect, but no effect on atherosclerosis progression. The probable explanation is that omega-3s modulate the heart's electrical activity and produce a "stabilizing" effect that protects in case of a heart attack.

Posologie

Oral route

800 mg

fish oil

Synergies

AMD
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Increased dietary intake of DHA is associated with a reduced risk of AMD. Preliminary clinical research shows that taking a combination of DHA 280 mg, lutein 12 mg, and zeaxanthin 0.6 mg per day for one year increases macular pigment optical density by 31% compared to placebo in patients with AMD. An increase in macular pigment optical density is associated with improved visual performance and a lower risk of AMD.

Posologie

Oral route

280 mg

12 - months

fish oil

Synergies