Whatis DHA? It’s was also commonly known as Docosahexaenoic acid which is anomega-3 essential fatty acid. In chemical structures, it composes of carboxylicacid with a 22-carbon chain and six cis (cis-trans isomerism) double bonds.Docosahexaenoic acid is most often found in fish oil which is originates onvarious photosynthetic and heterotrophic microalgae, and concentrates inorganisms as it moves up the food chain. Although some of these fish containlow levels of mercury, based on the Food and Drug Administration it has foundthat consuming several servings of fish each week poses no risk to healthypeople and conveys many health benefits.

Thosefor women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should avoid Atlanticmackerel, shark, swordfish, and tilefish, and should limit consumption of whitealbacore tuna to fewer than 6 oz. per week. (High-quality fish oil supplementsmade by manufacturers who test for mercury and other toxins do not pose thesame risk of mercury contamination. Read labels carefully and check for purity,or ask your doctor to help you find the best quality DHA supplement.) Forinfants, breast milk from a well-nourished mother contains significant amountsof DHA, while infant formula often has none.

Docosahexaenoicacid (DHA) may regulate stress mediators, such as catecholamine’s (high levelsin the blood are associated with stress) and pro-inflammatory cytokines(intercellular messengers responsible for signaling many cellular functions),and it may help reduce perceived stress, according to a study reported inNutrition Journal.

Membersof a university staff who were stressed (measured by a score of 17 on thePerceived Stress Scale) were randomized to two groups for a six-week trial.Group one took six grams of fish oil containing 1.5 grams per day of DHA. Grouptwo took a placebo (six grams of olive oil). The groups were compared to oneanother and also to a wider cross-sectional study population that did notreceive any treatment.

Thesubjects had significant reductions in perceived stress in both the treatmentand placebo groups from baseline to the study’s conclusions. However, thefish-oil group had a significantly better rate of stress reduction compared tothe control group while the placebo group did not. The researchers stated thatDHA appeared to have adaptogenic effects but that a larger study was needed tosupport the findings.

Thedocosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is available as a natural supplement in two usualcommon forms:

·        Fishoil capsules which contain both DHA and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) – anotheromega-3 fatty acid, which this two omega-3 essential fatty acids that playimportant roles in maintaining healthy skin as well as cardiovascular anddefense system function.

·        DHAextracted from algae (which contains no EPA) – What is algae? It is a large anddiverse group of autotrophic organism which is ranging from unicellular tomulticellular. This is also the largest and most complex marine forms are whichis called seaweeds. How about the benefits? Based on the initial reports itclaims that it helps to fight cancer, AIDS, heart disease, lower cholesterol,boost the immune system, and detoxify the body.