DHA supplements
DHA, also called Docosahexaenoic acid, is vital for proper brain and eye function. It is commonly found in retinal and brain cells, but is also found in sperm. It is an omega-3 fatty acid and is generally consumed via fish or microalgae supplements. DHA is a compound that is vital to the human body and without it, most people will suffer from interrupted or decreased brain function. DHA is also useful to help fight heart disease and is often purchased in supplement form to help do so. In this article, we’ll talk about DHA supplements and how they can help you. Although the uses are many, the sources are few, so the chemical makeup of different DHA supplements is often very similar.
Some of the more recent findings suggest that DHA supplements are useful in treating Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, and helping prevent many birth defects that occurs as a result of low DHA levels. Some of the best natural sources for DHA are fish, which contain naturally high levels of this fatty acid. You’ve probably heard about eating fish to make sure you get the necessary omega-3’s, but you’ve probably never heard why. The reason is that these fatty acids make up over 50-60% of the fatty acids in the brain and retina. For pregnant mothers, getting enough DHA in your diet is vital to your baby’s brain and nervous system development.
DHA supplements are also useful for improving overall health, as they help to keep cholesterol levels low, which in turn aids your heart. Keeping cholesterol levels low prevents your heart from being overtaxed, which left untreated causes heart disease.
There are some studies that suggest that vegetarians might suffer from low levels of DHA because DHA is not commonly found in many vegetable sources. Since most vegetarians do not eat fish (otherwise they wouldn’t be vegetarian), taking a DHA supplement might be a good idea to prevent a decline in cognitive function. There are some supplements that use microalgae as a source of DHA, so if you are hesitant to take a fish oil supplement then you should try using one of those. Otherwise, you might have to look for foods that contain DHA additives. Some dairy products, such as milk and yogurt, are being used as DHA fortified foods.
You can find many different types of DHA supplements on the internet, although the most common form is in fish oil. Since algae is more difficult to grow and harvest, the fish supplements are also usually much cheaper. The problem with fish oil supplements is that they are often sold using poor quality DHA, so you should check the product’s label and ratings to make sure you are getting what you are paying for. Although algae DHA is found to be more effective, particularly with newborns, either one should work as long as the source is quality and you take the supplement regularly.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are a vegetarian, then you are in the group that is most likely to benefit from DHA supplements. If you eat a diet heavy in red meat and fish, then your DHA levels are probably normal. However, if you suffer from high cholesterol or are prone to heart disease, then a DHA supplement should be something that you consider. Although checking DHA levels is possible, it is an expensive process, so I recommend trying a supplement to see if it helps. If you are a mother, then the benefits are obvious, however there is no need to take a DHA supplement if you don’t need it. If you are curious or would like to learn more, then I suggest talking to your doctor.
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