Premium Nahrungsergänzungsmittel | artgerecht

Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) – Function & Sources

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an essential omega-3 fatty acid found primarily in fatty fish and plays a key role in brain, eye, and heart health.

Regular tips about health Regular tips about health

Things worth knowing about "Docosahexaenoic acid"

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an essential omega-3 fatty acid found primarily in fatty fish and plays a key role in brain, eye, and heart health.

What is Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA)?

Docosahexaenoic acid (abbreviated DHA) is a long-chain, polyunsaturated fatty acid belonging to the omega-3 fatty acid family. It is considered essential because the human body can only produce it in very small amounts from the precursor alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). Therefore, adequate intake through diet or supplementation is important.

Biological Functions

DHA fulfills numerous vital functions in the human body:

Brain: DHA is a major structural component of brain cell membranes and supports normal brain function. Approximately 60% of brain fat consists of DHA.
Eyes: DHA is present in high concentrations in the retina and is essential for maintaining normal vision.
Heart: DHA helps maintain normal blood triglyceride levels and supports overall cardiovascular health.
Anti-inflammatory effects: DHA has anti-inflammatory properties and influences the synthesis of eicosanoids – signaling molecules that regulate inflammatory responses in the body.
Development: During pregnancy and breastfeeding, DHA is critical for the brain and visual development of the infant.

Dietary Sources

DHA is found primarily in animal-based foods of marine origin:

Fatty fish such as salmon, herring, mackerel, and sardines
Seafood and shellfish
Algal oil (a vegan source, since fish obtain DHA mainly from algae)
Fortified foods such as eggs and milk

Recommended Intake

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends a daily DHA intake of at least 250 mg in combination with EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) for adults. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are advised to consume an additional 100–200 mg of DHA per day. Eating 1–2 portions of fatty fish per week is a practical way to meet this requirement.

Deficiency Symptoms

A DHA deficiency can manifest in various ways:

Difficulties with concentration and memory
Increased risk of depressive mood disorders
Visual disturbances
Impaired cognitive development in infants and young children
Elevated blood triglyceride levels

Groups at risk of DHA deficiency include vegans and vegetarians, pregnant and breastfeeding women, older adults, and individuals with malabsorption disorders.

Supplementation and Dosage

DHA supplements are widely available as fish oil or algal oil capsules. For therapeutic purposes – such as lowering elevated triglyceride levels – higher doses of 1,000–4,000 mg of omega-3 fatty acids per day are sometimes used. Such doses should always be taken under medical supervision.

Interactions and Safety

DHA is considered safe at recommended doses. At very high doses, the following effects may occur:

Increased bleeding tendency, particularly when combined with anticoagulant medications such as warfarin or aspirin
Gastrointestinal complaints such as burping or nausea
Rarely: slightly elevated LDL cholesterol levels

Individuals taking blood-thinning medications should seek medical advice before starting high-dose DHA supplementation.

References

EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA): Scientific Opinion on the Tolerable Upper Intake Level of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and docosapentaenoic acid (DPA). EFSA Journal, 2012.
Calder PC: Omega-3 fatty acids and inflammatory processes: from molecules to man. Biochemical Society Transactions, 2017; 45(5):1105–1115.
World Health Organization (WHO): Fats and fatty acids in human nutrition. Report of an expert consultation. FAO Food and Nutrition Paper 91. Geneva, 2010.

Building Blocks for a Healthy Life

As an integrated manufacturer, we develop & produce evidence-based, patented, and non-patented formulations. We work exclusively with plant and natural extracts according to the strictest purity & quality standards.
The combination of science & modern technology with the laws of nature creates solutions consistently tailored to humans – for the highest good: health.