DHA and its Health Benefits

No doubt you've been hearing a lot lately about DHA. It's been popping up on food packaging everywhere, from yogurt to baby food, and now on High Liner fish products.

What is DHA?
DHA is part of a group of nutrients known as Omega-3s or Omega-3 fatty acids. DHA is a healthy fat which supports the normal development of the brain, eyes and nerves, and is essential for the maintenance of good health.

The Facts on Fat
Fat has been public enemy #1 for too long. The simple truth is that our bodies need fat to develop, function and survive. What we don't need are "bad" fats, like trans fats and saturated fats found in many of the foods we eat. What we do need are fatty acids, like DHA, that are essential to human health but cannot be manufactured by the body. ¹

Sources of Omega-3s
There are two ways to get Omega-3 fatty acids, like DHA, into your diet. The first, and most efficient, is to eat foods that are naturally rich in this nutrient or have had DHA added to them. The second, less desirable way, is to supplement your diet with fish oil capsules or other dietary supplements containing DHA.

Natural Sources of DHA
The ocean is one of the world's richest source of DHA because it supplies us with Omega-3-rich seafood and fish.² You could also look for meat products derived from livestock raised on Omega-3-rich grasses, such as free-range chickens. Other sources include olive oil and canola oil, ideal for cooking and for preparing salad dressings.

The Health Benefits
It's often hard to keep up with the latest "super food" being touted as a cure-all in the marketplace. Luckily, you don't have to worry about Omega-3 fatty acids being just a fad. These essential fats have been a part of the human diet for thousands of years, and every day we're learning more and more about how they positively affect our overall health.

"Omega-3 fatty acids play a crucial role in brain function as well as normal growth and development. Extensive research indicates that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and help prevent risk factors associated with chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis."³

Studies have also shown that people who follow the Mediterranean diet, which is low in meat and high in foods that are rich in Omega-3 like fish, seafood, olive oil and whole grains, are less likely to develop heart disease.⁴

What else should I know?
Along with DHA, you may want to look for foods that naturally contain EPA or have had EPA added. EPA is another Omega-3 fatty acid that is essential for the maintenance of good health. EPA reduces blood-clotting and lessens chronic inflammation which may be behind diseases such as Alzheimer's, cancer, depression and heart disease.

Sources:

Medscape CME:
http://cme.medscape.com/viewarticle/588395

University of Maryland Medical Center:
1. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/omega-3-000316.htm
2. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/omega-3-000316.htm
3. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/omega-3-000316.htm
4. http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/omega-3-000316.htm