Benefits of DHA for Adult Health

DHA is important for brain, eye and heart health throughout life. In fact, a growing body of research continues to support the role that DHA plays throughout adulthood, including:

Brain Health
  • DHA is necessary for the development and maintenance of optimal structure and function of nerve cells in the brain and eyes.
  • DHA plays a significant role in the maintenance of normal neurological function.
  • Preliminary research suggests DHA plays an important role in maintaining healthy mental function.
Heart Health

The American Heart Association (AHA) has established the following guide containing recommended intakes for omega-3 fatty acids.

Population Recommendation
Patients without documented coronary heart disease (CHD) Eat a variety of (preferably fatty) fish at least twice a week. Include oils and foods rich in alpha-linolenic acid (flaxseed, canola and soybean oils; flaxseed and walnuts).
Patients with documented CHD Consume about 1 g of EPA+DHA per day, preferably from fatty fish. EPA+DHA supplements could be considered in consultation with the physician.
Patients who need to lower triglycerides 2 to 4 grams of EPA+DHA per day provided as capsules under a physician’s care.
Patients taking more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids from supplements should do so only under a physician’s care. High intakes could cause excessive bleeding in some people.
Source: American Heart Association

Since 2000, the AHA has recommended that the U.S. population eat at least two servings of fish, particularly fatty fish, per week for their omega-3 (DHA & eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA) cardiovascular benefits. The AHA, however, tempers its recommendation by cautioning consumers to heed warnings from federal and state advisories on environmental pollutants and toxins found in certain fish.

In 2005, the USDA Dietary Guidelines recognized an association between the omega-3 fats found in fish (DHA & EPA) and good cardiovascular health.