Docosahexaenoic acid (dha)
Scientific names: Docosahexaenoic acid
Alternate names: Acide Docosahexaénoïque, Acide Gras d'Huile de Poisson, Acide Gras Oméga 3, Acide Gras N-3, Acide Gras W-3, Acido Docosahexaenoico, ADH, DHA, Fish Oil Fatty Acid, N-3 Fatty Acid, Neuromins, Omega 3, Oméga 3, Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Omega-3, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, W-3 Fatty Acid
Actions: Anticancer, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-aggression, Cardiovascular, DHA status and needs during pregnancy, Effects on infant development, Immune, Neurologic, Ocular
Background
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid that is found along with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in cold-water fish, including tuna and salmon.
DHA plays a key role in the development of eye and nerve tissues. DHA might also reduce the risk of heart and circulatory disease by decreasing the thickness of the blood, reducing swelling (inflammation), and lowering blood levels of triglycerides.
People commonly use DHA for high levels of cholesterol or other fats in the blood. It is also used for boosting memory and thinking skills, for helping infant and child development, for certain eye disorders, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
Don't confuse DHA with EPA. They are both in fish oil, but they are not the same. DHA can be converted into EPA in the body in very small amounts. See separate listings for algal oil, cod liver oil, fish oil, EPA, and krill oil.
DHA plays a key role in the development of eye and nerve tissues. DHA might also reduce the risk of heart and circulatory disease by decreasing the thickness of the blood, reducing swelling (inflammation), and lowering blood levels of triglycerides.
People commonly use DHA for high levels of cholesterol or other fats in the blood. It is also used for boosting memory and thinking skills, for helping infant and child development, for certain eye disorders, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support many of these uses.
Don't confuse DHA with EPA. They are both in fish oil, but they are not the same. DHA can be converted into EPA in the body in very small amounts. See separate listings for algal oil, cod liver oil, fish oil, EPA, and krill oil.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: DHA is likely safe for most people. It's been used safely for up to 4 years. Most side effects are mild and involve stomach and intestine issues. But people shouldn't take more than 3 grams of DHA or other omega-3 fatty acids daily, and no more than 2 grams daily should come from a dietary supplement. Taking more than 3 grams daily of DHA and other omega-3 fatty acids is possibly unsafe. Doing so might slow blood clotting and increase the chance of bleeding.
Children: DHA is likely safe when used appropriately. DHA is included in some infant formulas. Also, DHA has been safely given to children 7 years and older at doses of 30 mg/kg daily for up to 4 years. It has also been safely given to children 4 years and older at doses of 0.4-1 gram daily for up to 1 year. But DHA is possibly unsafe when used in preterm infants born at less than 29 weeks. It might worsen breathing in these infants.
Diabetes: DHA seems to increase blood sugar in some people with type 2 diabetes.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: DHA is likely safe when taken by mouth in appropriate amounts during pregnancy and breast-feeding. DHA is commonly used during pregnancy and is an ingredient in some prenatal vitamins. DHA is also a normal part of breast milk and added to some infant formulas. It's recommended that 200-300 mg of DHA are consumed daily during pregnancy and breast-feeding, either from supplements or food sources.Children: DHA is likely safe when used appropriately. DHA is included in some infant formulas. Also, DHA has been safely given to children 7 years and older at doses of 30 mg/kg daily for up to 4 years. It has also been safely given to children 4 years and older at doses of 0.4-1 gram daily for up to 1 year. But DHA is possibly unsafe when used in preterm infants born at less than 29 weeks. It might worsen breathing in these infants.
Diabetes: DHA seems to increase blood sugar in some people with type 2 diabetes.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Possibly effective Effectiveness definitions
- High levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia). Taking DHA with or without eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) by mouth daily seems to somewhat lower triglyceride levels. But it doesn't seem to lower total cholesterol and might increase low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol.
- Preterm birth. In people who get less DHA from their diet, taking DHA by mouth during pregnancy seems to lower the risk of having a baby very early.
Possibly ineffective Effectiveness definitions
- Decline in memory and thinking skills that occurs normally with age. Taking DHA supplements by mouth alone or with other ingredients doesn't improve memory, forgetfulness, or learning ability in people with age-related memory changes.
- Alzheimer disease. People who get more DHA from their diet might have a lower risk of Alzheimer disease. But taking DHA supplements by mouth doesn't seem to slow the progression of the disease.
- Attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Taking DHA supplements by mouth doesn't seem to improve ADHD symptoms in children.
- A lung disease that affects newborns (bronchopulmonary dysplasia). Giving DHA to preterm infants by mouth or taking DHA by mouth while breast-feeding doesn't reduce the infant's risk for this lung disease. In fact, DHA might increase the risk for this disease in some infants.
- Memory and thinking skills (cognitive function). Taking DHA supplements by mouth doesn't improve mental performance in healthy adults.
- Cystic fibrosis. Taking DHA supplements by mouth doesn't improve symptoms of cystic fibrosis.
- Depression. Taking DHA supplements by mouth doesn't seem to improve symptoms of depression or prevent depression in most people.
- Infants born weighing more than 4000 grams (8 pounds, 13.1 ounces). Taking DHA supplements by mouth during pregnancy doesn't seem to reduce the chance of having a large baby.
Dosing & administration
DHA is commonly consumed in the diet. Sources include cold-water fish, including mackerel, herring, tuna, halibut, salmon, cod liver, whale blubber, and seal blubber.
In supplements, DHA has most often been used by adults in doses of 400-800 mg by mouth daily for up to 6 months.
In supplements, DHA has most often been used by adults in doses of 400-800 mg by mouth daily for up to 6 months.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
DHA might increase blood sugar levels. Taking DHA along with diabetes medications might reduce the effects of these medications. Monitor your blood sugar closely.
Medications for high blood pressure (Antihypertensive drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
DHA might lower blood pressure. Taking DHA along with medications that lower blood pressure might cause blood pressure to go too low. Monitor your blood pressure closely.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Taking DHA might slow blood clotting. Taking DHA along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Herbs and supplements that might lower blood pressure: DHA might lower blood pressure. Taking it with other supplements that have the same effect might cause blood pressure to drop too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include andrographis, casein peptides, L-arginine, niacin, and stinging nettle.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: DHA might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.
Herbs and supplements that might slow blood clotting: DHA might slow blood clotting and increase the risk of bleeding. Taking it with other supplements with similar effects might increase the risk of bleeding in some people. Examples of supplements with this effect include garlic, ginger, ginkgo, nattokinase, and Panax ginseng.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Products
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Per 5 mL (Peppermint):
- Total Omega 3 2.3 g
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 1.2 g
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) 346 mg
- Lecithin 1.5 g equiv. phosphatidylcholine 520 mg
- Phosphatidylserine enriched soy (liquid) (Lecithin) 750 mg equiv. phosphatidylserine 150 mg
- Cholecalciferol 12.5 μg equiv. vitamin D3 500 IU
- Tocotrienols complex - palm (Vitamin E) 160 mg
Practitioner product
Per 2.5 mL (Orange):
- Total Omega 3 2.3 g
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 1.2 g
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) 346 mg
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Per 5 mL (Peppermint):
Practitioner product
Per 5 mL:
- Total Omega 3 4.55 g
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 1.09 g
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) 1.64 g
Practitioner product
Per 5 mL (Lemon):
- Total Omega 3 4.5 g
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 0.94 g
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) 2.5 g
Practitioner product
Per 5 mL (Fresh Mint):
- Total Omega 3 4.6 g
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 927 mg
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) 1.9 g
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Per 4.2 mL (Citrus Berry):
- Total Omega 3 4 g
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 800 mg
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) 2 g
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RRP: $44.95$36.86Save: 18%
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Per capsule:
- Total Omega 3 1 g
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 500 mg
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) 100 mg
Practitioner product
Per capsule:
- Total Omega-3 triglycerides 1.5 g
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 360 mg
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) 540 mg
RRP: $71.95$50.37Save: 30%
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Per capsule:
- Total Omega 3 1340 mg
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 335 mg
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) 670 mg
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Discontinued by Bio-Practica
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RRP: $39.95$25.97Save: 35%
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Per capsule:
- Total Omega-3 triglycerides 1.06 g
- Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 253.33 mg
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) 380 mg
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This monograph was last reviewed on 12/09/2024 10:00:00 and last updated on 17/11/2022 10:25:32. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
