It is also linked to improved heart health, better vision, and reduced inflammatory response. DHA is naturally produced in small quantities by our bodies, but to achieve adequate amounts, DHA needs to be taken in through dietary sources such as cold-water fish, grass-fed meat, dairy, or omega-3 enriched or pasture-raised eggs.
It is also available as supplements, such as fish oil. The long-chain omega-3 fatty acid is found in cell membranes throughout the body and helps to transmit messages between nerves. During pregnancy, women may be advised to take prenatal supplements containing mg to mg of DHA due to its benefits on brain development.
In the study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, women were given either mg of DHA or a placebo daily during the last half of pregnancy. Women taking the DHA had a longer duration of pregnancy and babies with greater birth weights, lengths, and head circumference than those given a placebo. In the first 6 months of life, DHA is especially important for the development of the nervous system.
Breastfeeding mothers are encouraged to continue taking mg to mg of DHA a day, and most infant formulas also contain DHA. This amount must be balanced with the amount of arachidonic acid in the formula as too much DHA might limit the benefits derived from the arachidonic acid which is also essential for healthy development.
Low levels of DHA in early childhood are associated with lower literacy ability, while higher levels are linked to enhanced cognitive development and performance, memory, and speed of performing mental tasks, according to a study published in the journal Nutrients. A study published in European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry found 6 months of supplementation with DHA had positive effects on behavioral and cognitive difficulties.
Those who took DHA supplements had small improvements in psychosocial functioning, emotional problems, and focused attention. DHA also provides health benefits for non-pregnant adults, specifically for the following health conditions. Fish oil is possibly effective in the treatment of several other conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, menstrual pain, psoriasis, and asthma.
The NIH states that fish oil may help reduce certain forms of cancer including endometrial cancer. Although DHA is generally considered safe, taking DHA in the form of fish oil is known to cause a number of side effects, including bad breath, heartburn , and nausea. What's more, there's some concern that fish oil might reduce immune system activity and weaken the body's defense against infection.
In addition, taking fish oil in combination with certain medications such as blood pressure drugs may produce harmful effects in some cases. It's important to consult your physician before combining fish oil with medications.
Fish oil has a blood-thinning effect and should be taken with caution and only after consulting with a physician by people who are on blood thinners or anti-platelet medications. DHA is sold as a gel cap supplement or as a liquid. Many dietary supplements contain a combination of DHA and EPA eicosapentaenoic acid , another omega-3 fatty acid found in fish oil.
Widely available for purchase online, DHA supplements are sold in many drugstores, grocery stores, natural-food stores, and stores specializing in dietary supplements.
Supplements are not regulated by the FDA. To ensure you are getting a quality brand, look for an independent third-party seal, such as U.
While taking DHA supplements may offer certain health benefits, it's too soon to recommend DHA as a treatment for any condition. It's important to note that DHA supplements should not be used as a replacement for the standard care of a chronic condition.
Avoiding or delaying treatment for a chronic condition in favor of self-treating with DHA may have serious health consequences. If we combine this information with your PHI, we will treat all of that information as PHI, and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of e-mail communications at any time by clicking on the Unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below.
Mayo Clinic is a nonprofit organization and proceeds from Web advertising help support our mission. Mayo Clinic does not endorse any of the third party products and services advertised.
A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Fish oil. Products and services. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information.
Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Fish oil. Natural Medicines. If you are experiencing these types of symptoms, you should stop taking any DHA or DHA-rich foods and seek advice from a doctor. At the time of publication, no overly harmful or potentially fatal side effects have been recorded from ingesting too much DHA. Still, it pays to err on the side of caution to reduce your chances of experiencing the known negative side effects.
There seems to be some controversy over how DHA constitutes as too much. At the time of publication, the U. Conversely, Australian doctors advise their patients not to exceed mg of DHA a day.
0コメント