DHA AS A HEALTH SUPPLEMENT: A REVIEW

Abstract

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 fatty acid essential for the growth and functional development of the brain in all the ages of human being which includes infants, children as well as adults. DHA is the major component of the sea food mainly fish. Fish gets DHA directly from the consumption of marine organisms like algae or plankton. Tuna, Salmon, herring are the good sources of omega-3 fatty acids.  According to WHO, recommended daily intake of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (EPA and DHA) is 0.3-0.5g/day. Deficiency of DHA in infants is associated with learning impairment, cardiovascular diseases, depression and cystic fibrosis. Various studies have shown a strong correlation between deficiency of DHA and increase in sudden cardiac death. Many independent studies shows that the children with higher levels of DHA in breastfed have affected better in mental and visual abilities as compared to the children not containing DHA in their diets. This review focuses on the role of DHA in prenatal, lactating women, infants or growing children and other vital diseases. It also discusses the therapeutic uses, metabolic pathway, adverse effect of DHA and its interactions with other drugs.