DHA, which stands for docosahexaenoic acid, is an important fatty acid found in omega-3. Like the rest of the fatty acids of the same family, DHA has incredible benefits for the human body. DHA has a strong impact on your brain and is crucial for pregnant women. Since your body doesn’t produce enough of this acid, you need to acquire it through your diet.
DHA is usually found in seafood, such as shellfish and fish. Plus, you can also consume fish oil to make the most out of this acid. Surprisingly, DHA makes up to 90%of the omega-3 fatty acids in your brain and 25% of the total fat content of this organ.
DHA is positioned in the cell membranes, which makes the gap between the cells more fluid. This compels the nerve cells to send and receive electrical signals simultaneously.
You can easily consume a rich quantity of this fatty acid by eating fish, cod liver oil, and even sardines.
The main difference between EPA and DHA is the impact that both of them have on the mind and body. Simply put, there’s a strong difference between physical and mental health. DHA is said to have a strong impact on the overall physical health of the body and especially the heart. This is why you’ll find heart patients consuming DHA in various forms.
On the other hand, EPA has a strong impact on the mind and helps boost your mood. Thus, DHA will be used In areas such as the heart, eyes, and brain. Thanks to fish, you can consume both EPA and DHA in good quality,
As explained earlier, DHA has an abundant part of omega-3 in your brain and plays a strong role in its function and development. According to recent research, the brain level of the rest of the fatty acids is 250 to 300 times much lower. DHA has a strong role in the growth of tissue and function. Especially for infants, the intake of DHA impacts their overall health. It also improves eye health and the nervous system of the body. DHA taken during pregnancy improves the chances of magnifying the baby’s health.
DHA is highly beneficial for an ageing brain. After all, when you age, your brain gets older, which causes DNA change. Plus, the physical structure of your brain gets reduced in size, weight, and even fat content. These changes are also witnessed as the DHA level gets reduced in the brain. However, if you take a DHA supplement every day, it will help in stopping your brain from ageing.
DHA is beneficial for activating rhodopsin, a protein membrane that improves eye health. Rhodopsin helps the brain receive images by changing fluids, permeability, and adding thickness of the eye membranes. But, a DHA deficiency will eventually cause loss of vision. Now, the modern baby formulas are equipped with DHA, so they can help in uplifting the baby’s vision.
A good intake of DHA through fish or any other rich source is highly beneficial for heart health. And this reduces the risk of coronary artery disease. Plus, the chances of a sudden cardiac arrest are reduced too.
As of now, there’s a defined recommended daily allowance for EPA and DHA. But as they say, the excess of everything is bad, it is best to consume omega-3 in moderation. Most experts agree that a combined dosage of EPA and DHA, somewhere between 250-500 mg, is enough for adults.
Still, checking with a doctor on time is a good way to rest assured about not overdoing it. Today, the market is flooded with tons of omega-3 supplements, but you need to go the extra mile when making your final choice.
On the other hand, too much intake of omega-3 is detrimental to health. Experts recommend people not exceed 3000mg per day. But, taking more than this hasn’t provided any fruitful results, so it’s not worth taking the risk.
