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DHA Omega-3 for Every Age and Every Stage of Life

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DHA for Health Throughout Life

You Never Outgrow DHA Omega-3

From the time you were born DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) was a key component for your developing brain and eyes. And, it continues to support brain and eye function throughout life. As a matter of fact, DHA is a major structural and functional fat found in the brain and eyes (retina), representing about 97% of all omega-3 fats in the brain and 93% of all omega-3 fats in the eye. It's also a key component of the heart and cardiovascular system, and one of the omega-3 fatty acids recommended by the American Heart Association and USDA Dietary Guidelines for good cardiovascular health.

Additionally, there has been positive research on the role that DHA may play in adult brain and eye health. Yet, American's diets typically fall short of recommended levels.

The U.S. Has One of the Lowest Levels of DHA Consumption in the World
Total Long Chain Omega-3

View reference material for this graph.

Staying Healthy for Life

According to the American Heart Association, the ways that omega-3 fatty acids such as DHA reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease are still being studied. However, research has shown that they: 51

  • decrease risk of arrhythmias, which can lead to sudden cardiac death
  • decrease triglyceride levels
  • decrease growth rate of plaque in the arteries
  • lower blood pressure (at higher levels)

Recent cardiovascular research has compared DHA alone against the effects of DHA and EPA to find that DHA alone is equal to DHA and EPA or better for the following heart health benefits:

  • decrease triglyceride levels
  • increase HDL (the "good" cholesterol) levels
  • decrease heart rate
  • lower blood pressure (at higher levels)

In some scientific studies, DHA intake has been associated with a decreased risk of mental decline associated with aging. No other fatty acid demonstrates this relationship.

  • DHA is necessary for the development and maintenance of optimal structure and function of nerve cells in the brain and eyes. 31
  • DHA supports normal cognitive function throughout life
  • DHA not EPA nor ALA is associated with a reduced risk for developing Alzheimers dementia and slows the normal age related decline in cognitive function.
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