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DHA docosahexaenoic acid has a number of important health benefits. It contributes to the normal functioning of the heart, acts as a neuroprotector, and reduces inflammation. It can also help reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
Contributes to normal functioning of the heart
The heart is, composed of four chambers: the atria at the top, the left and right ventricles at the bottom. These chambers are, connected by a specialized network of conduction tissues. The atria contain a pacemaker called the sinoatrial node, which conducts electrical impulses to the ventricles in a coordinated fashion.
The heart pumps blood to all parts of the body to provide oxygen and remove waste products. The four chambers of the heart are, separated by valves. There are many diseases of the heart, including heart attack and coronary heart disease. In addition, the heart may have an irregular shape or be congenital. Blood is, transported from the lungs to the heart by the right and left aorta.
The heart also has an electrical system that enables coordinated contraction of the chambers. The dominant pacemaker, the sinus node is, found in the upper right atrium. It senses the metabolic demands of the body and responds to large swings in activity to ensure that enough blood is, directed to the right tissue. The electrical pacemaker signal from the right atrium spreads to the left atrium, which coordinates contraction of the two chambers.
Reduces inflammation
DHA is a polyunsaturated fatty acid with many benefits, including the potential to reduce inflammation. It works to inhibit inflammation by down-regulating pro-inflammatory mediators that contribute to cytotoxic cell damage. It also reduces inflammation by inhibiting the migration of resident immune cells and increasing phagocytic activity.
In a study, DHA treatment decreased central macrophage/microglia activation, leukocyte infiltration, and the expression of inflammatory genes, IL-1b and IL-6. In addition, it reduced the expression of CCL2 receptors, which are important in the activation of immune cells.
Interestingly, DHA also decreased inflammation by inhibiting p38 MAPK phosphorylation and inhibiting expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The study also found that DHA reduced diastolic blood pressure and systolic blood pressure. In addition, DHA reduced the pro-inflammatory characteristics of microglia (i.e., the enlarged lipid bodies that secrete inflammatory mediators and NO).
DHA is present in mother’s milk and fatty fish. It is also present in smaller amounts in meat and eggs. Pregnant women should consume fatty fish in moderation (up to six ounces a week). The best source of DHA for pregnant women is wild-caught salmon.
Supplementing with DHA significantly increased red cell and plasma DHA levels. However, the supplement did not affect markers of inflammation in other tissues. In this study, the patients were able to maintain a normal resting energy expenditure, even while undergoing DHA treatment.
Acts as a neuro-protector
DHA is used as a lipid mediator in the brain, where it is oxidized by a 15-lipoxygenase-like enzyme. This results in the formation of resolvins D1-D6, which are precursors of neuroprotectin D1. DHA-derived metabolites inhibit the generation of eicosanoids, prevent apoptosis, and suppress oxidative stress.
In the brain, DHA plays an important role in synaptogenesis and neuronal growth. It also regulates neurotransmitter release and maintains the activity of certain enzymes. It has a neuroprotective role in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). In addition, DHA improves the level of dopaminergic neurotransmission and protects neurons against cell death.
DHA is an essential component of neural membranes. It constitutes about 30-40% of the phospholipids in the cerebral cortex. It also occurs in retinal photoreceptor cells. DHA mediates neurotransmission by modulating the expression of G proteins and ion channels.
In animal studies, DHA limits the damage that oxidative stress and amyloid peptides cause in neurons. It also prevents memory loss and improves cognitive function in APP transgenic mice. DHA also improves BDNF levels, which helps the brain build new neural pathways. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. It reduces the production of COX-2, an enzyme that contributes to the development of Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease.
DHA is a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid. It is an essential component for neuronal growth and development. It also promotes the differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells, which increases neurogenesis. Furthermore, DHA stimulates gene expression and increases the proliferation of cells in neuronal lineages.
Reduces risk of coronary heart disease
The risk of coronary heart disease can be reduced by supplementing the diet with DHA and EPA. The recommended daily intake for these fatty acids is between 250 and 500 mg. Higher intakes may provide greater protection.
The AHA recommends at least two oily fish meals a week. This will provide a sufficient amount of omega-3 fatty acids for primary prevention. The combination of EPA and DHA can also reduce the risk of secondary coronary heart disease. This type of heart disease prevention can reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by up to 49% in people with a high EPA and DHA intake.
DHA is also effective in preventing and controlling inflammatory processes. It can inhibit macrophage/microglia activation, leukocyte infiltration, and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, it can improve exercise tolerance in patients with heart failure.
A meta-analysis of several studies involving DHA and EPA has suggested that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by 6% or more. This conclusion was, confirmed by the results of two randomized controlled trials and one prospective study that involved more than seven million people.
DHA also supports the cognitive health of older adults. In one study, 900mg of DHA supplementation significantly improved memory and verbal recognition in elderly adults with mild memory complaints. The changes in memory scores correlated with increases in plasma DHA levels. The study also revealed cardiovascular benefits, with a reduction in heart rate in patients receiving DHA supplementation for six months.
Improves visual function in infants
The use of DHA docosahexaenic acid (DHA) in pregnancy has been shown to improve the visual evoked potential of healthy term infants. A study conducted by Molloy et al. found that infants supplemented with DHA had better visual acuity than infants who received a placebo. The study enrolled 100 pregnant women who were given fish oil capsules containing DHA or a placebo. They were, also tested for total fatty acids in their red blood cells, plasma, and umbilical cord blood at week 15 and week 40 of gestation. Afterward, infants were, assessed for visual pathway development using pattern reversal stimuli shortly after birth and at 50 and 66 weeks post-conception.
The dietary DHA is, converted to ALA in the liver during the development of photoreceptors and synapses. This makes it a readily available and convenient supply for brain and retina cells. Its membrane-bound form also serves cell fate-signaling and neuroprotective functions. Other beneficial neurophysiological actions of DHA include maintaining neuronal plasma membrane fluidity and the generation of docosanoids.
The DHA supplementation in infants also improved the visual acuity of breast-fed infants. This supplementation also reduced episodes of bronchitis and reduced blood pressure. These findings suggest that DHA may help prevent or reduce the incidence of cardiovascular disease later in life.
Reduces risk of Alzheimer’s
Studies have shown that high DHA intakes may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. In one study, researchers followed 1500 individuals for more than seven years. They then tested red blood cells for DHA levels. The results showed that those with higher levels of DHA had a 47 percent lower risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
The researchers also reported that those with the e4 variant of the APOE gene had a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. This suggests that genetics play a major role in developing dementia, and reducing the risk of the disease may help slow its progression. However, more research is needed to confirm whether DHA reduces risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
The anti-inflammatory effects of DHA have been shown in animal studies. It inhibits the production of Ab (a protein linked to AD), a key factor in the disease process. It also reduces oxidative damage and is neuroprotective. However, large trials are required to prove its benefits.
This study was designed to test whether DHA reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. The researchers used three different tests to assess the effectiveness of the DHA supplement. The first test measured the participants’ CSF DHA levels, while the other two were designed to measure EPA levels. The results from these tests were, interpreted as a strong support for the use of DHA as an anti-Alzheimer’s drug.
