Docosahexaenoic Acid - DHA The Brain Food

Docosahexaenoic Acid - DHA is a 22 carbon Omega 3 fatty acid that forms a major part of the complex circuitry of the brain. Docosahexaenoic Acid – DHA is used for making the neurotransmitters and the nerve sheath also. Almost 90% of the circuitry of the brain is already made at the time of birth. The balance is completed by the end of the first year of life. If the mother has an adequate supply of Docosahexaenoic Acid – DHA in her diet, during the last trimester of pregnancy and during lactation, the development of the child’s brain is far better. The children of Docosahexaenoic Acid – DHA fed mothers are more intelligent and have well developed sensory systems, especially vision and hearing.

The human brain assimilates, interprets, processes and stores information much faster than any computer. The complex circuitry and signal transmission system is way ahead of the best computers. About 60% of the lipids in the membrane bi-layer of the brain and nerve sheath are made of DHA. Docosahexaenoic Acid – DHA is also found at the synapses, where the transmission of signals from one cell to the other, occurs with the help of neurotransmitters. Docosahexaenoic Acid – DHA is also used for energy by the brain. Throughout life all the tissues in the body, including brain are being replaced. It is believed that we are completely renewed in about 7 years and we need a regular supply of Docosahexaenoic Acid – DHA for the brain to continue functioning well. Since it is required for the structure and functioning of the brain, Docosahexaenoic Acid – DHA has been called the ‘Brain Food”.

DHA synthesis declines with age, as we get older our need to acquire DHA directly from diet or supplements increases. Because of the decline in DHA synthesis, DHA content of brain cell membranes declines.

Consuming foods rich in Omega 3 fatty acids throughout life would be a good strategy to get adequate Docosahexaenoic Acid – DHA. The body can make adequate quantities of Eicosapentaenoic Acid – EPA and Docosahexaenoic Acid – DHA from dietary Alpha Linolenic Acid – LNA. Flaxseed, flaxseed oil, walnuts are among the best sources of dietary Alpha Linolenic Acid – LNA. Marine food, especially deep sea cold water fish like salmon and tuna are very good sources of EPA and DHA. Fish oil contains EPA and DHA in the ratio 3:2 and most commercial brands usually have 180 mg of EPA and 120 mg of DHA per softgel capsule. Preparations with higher concentrations are also now available. Not all people can make their own DHA from LNA or EPA and in such people supplementation with DHA becomes important.

Quotes about important benefits of Docosahexaenoic Acid – DHA supplementation

Maternal supplementation with DHA during pregnancy and lactation has been demonstrated to augment children’s IQ. [1]

Increasing maternal docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) intake by 100 mg/day increases the child’s IQ by 0.13 points. [2]

In infants who are fed DHA-supplemented formulas, clear advantages have been demonstrated in visual acuity at two and four months of age, and in neuro-developmental status at 12-18 months of age.[3]

Infants who received DHA-supplemented formula for the first 17 weeks of life (in a randomized clinical trial in 2000) demonstrated a mean increase of seven points on the Mental Development Index of the Bayley Scale of Infant Development. These infants showed superior performance on both the cognitive and motor sub-scales of the Mental Development Index. [4]

Docosahexaenoic acid – DHA markedly improves brain function in adults and helps to slow down normal aging, Alzheimer disease and many psychiatric disorders. [5]

Docosahexaenoic Acid – DHA and its partner EPA are effective in reducing cardiovascular risk, improving immunity, reducing inflammatory diseases, controlling obesity, improving insulin resistance and also fighting cancer.

The stunning success of Docosahexaenoic Acid in enhancing brain development and childhood IQ is likely to be a topic of intense study for decades. Newer emerging research is showing important benefits in adolescents and adults. Fish oil really is “brain food,” and thanks to DHA supplements, expectant mothers can provide its benefits to their future offspring with great confidence. The profound benefits of DHA or Fish Oil for mental health and well-being throughout life makes it very important nutrient to Fight Aging and Stay Young.

Helland IB, Smith L, Saarem K, et al. Maternal supplementation with very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation augments children’s IQ at 4 years of age. Pediatrics 2003;111(1):e39-40.
Cohen JT et al, Am J Prev Med. 2005; 29(4):366-74
Heird WC. The role of polyunsaturated fatty acids in term and preterm infants and breastfeeding mothers. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2001 Feb;48(1):173-88.
Birch EE et al, Dev Med Child Neurol. 2000 Mar;42(3):174-81.
Horrocks LA et al, Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2004; 70(4):361-72

Fight Aging Site team has taken maximum care to ensure that the information is authentic. The information has been extracted from published medical trials and text books. The information is not meant to substitute a Physicians advice, nor is it meant to treat any disease. Members are advised to consult a Physician, Dietician, Physiotherapist or Trainer before taking medication or commencing an exercise program.