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THE POWER OF DHA

13 Indications for using DHA

Usually, when anyone discusses fish oil, EPA and DHA get lumped together almost like they’re the same thing.  In the vast majority of research done on omega-3s, the researchers use a fish oil which has a relatively balanced blend of EPA and DHA.  Because the subjects in the studies are usually taking such a combination product, the conclusions drawn by the researchers have led people to believe that both fats have the same benefits and act the same physiologically.  The truth, however, is that each fatty acid has unique properties.  Fortunately, among the 20,000 or so studies done on fish oil, there are many that have focused on the individual fatty acids, often giving participants either a placebo, EPA, or DHA.  As a result, we can better identify the unique benefits of each and when to choose a formula concentrated with a higher potency of either EPA or DHA. 

In a previous article, I discussed all the benefits of EPA which range from inflammation to immune health.  I received many emails asking me to do the same thing for DHA and if there was any research that shows when to use DHA.  Because of the unique structure of DHA (a 22 chain fatty acid instead of the 20 chain of EPA), it can improve physiological functions of the body that are considered very “electrically active”—think brain health, eye health, heart and muscle function, etc.  DHA improves the fluidity and integrity of the cell membranes.  It has been shown in one study, for example, to lower the resting heart rate.  It’s also highly concentrated in fast twitch muscle fibers and the eyes.  Here are a couple more interesting facts regarding DHA: hummingbird wings are very high in DHA, while their legs are low in DHA and rattlesnake rattles are high in DHA and their bodies are low in DHA.  The same concept has been shown to be true in humans; muscles that undergo athletic training have a higher demand for DHA as well.

So to answer the question “when should I be using a concentrated DHA product?” …the following list should give you a good idea. 

1. High blood pressure.  A study in Hypertension showed that DHA but not EPA lowered blood pressure. 
*Hypertension. 1999;34(2):253-60.

2. When triglycerides are elevated.  A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that DHA can lower triglycerides. 
Am J Clin Nutr. 2004;79:765–73.

3. The massive Framingham Heart Study showed that DHA intake can improve mental function, reduce cognitive decline, and stave off Alzheimer’s.

4. A study published in the Archives of Neurology demonstrated that higher DHA levels are associated with a lower risk to dementia.
Arch Neurol. 2006;63:1545-50.

5. One of the signs of a well-trained endurance athlete is a reduced resting heart rate.  DHA (and not EPA or placebo) was shown to reduce heart rate by more than 3 beats per minute in a study from The Journal Hypertension. 
*Hypertension. 1999;34(2):253-60.

6. DHA is needed for fast-twitch muscle fiber function.  Any explosive-force type athlete (or special operations personnel) should increase their DHA intake.
Am J of Physiological Endocrinology and Metabolism 279 (2000): E744-51

7. Anyone with eyesight concerns—I can’t imagine anyone not being concerned with their eyesight.  Research has shown that a diet rich in DHA helps prevent macular degeneration. 
Br J Ophthalmol. 2009;93(9):1241-6

8. Higher DHA levels are correlated with higher metabolisms.  When I came across this research I was very skeptical, but the data are really amazing.  Researchers found that animals of identical mass could have drastically different metabolic rates—and higher metabolic rates were always associated with higher DHA levels. 
Journal of Theoretical Biology 199  (1999): 257-74; American Journal of Physiology 240 (1981): R3-9.

9. Children supplemented with DHA may have higher IQ scores.  Although intelligence is a very difficult outcome to measure and control, several studies have shown a likely connection.  Keep in mind, researchers by nature don’t make dogmatic conclusions, but the results in many studies are very impressive with no downside to DHA supplementation. 
Am J Clin Nutr 2009 Feb;89(2):678S-84S

10. DHA supports neural development of fetus.  Again, while not absolutely conclusive, the bulk of the research suggests a strong correlation between DHA level and neural development. 
Early Hum Dev. 2010 Feb 2; Am J Clin Nutr 2009 Feb;89(2):678S-84S.

11. DHA levels associated with likelihood of Type II Diabetes.  As seen in the Greenland Eskimos in the 70s (high DHA and low diabetes) and in the Pima Indians (low DHA and high diabetes).
Allport, Susan, The Queen of Fats. Los Angeles: University of California Press, 2006; Lancet, June 5, 1971, p. 1144

12. DHA may slow or stop progression of breast cancer.  A study in the International Journal of Oncology concluded that DHA may slow the “proliferation of tumor cells, and minimizing their metastatic potential.” 
Int J Oncol. 2010 Mar;36(3):737-42.

13. DHA may inhibit tumor growth/proliferation in colorectal cancer.  Many studies show a strong connection in the ability of DHA to alter colon caner progression. 
J Lipid Res 2008 Oct;49(10):2089-100; World J Gastroenterol. 2009 Mar 7;15(9):1079-84; Lipids 2009 Aug;44(8):673-83.

Interestingly, in February of 2010, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published that a 70% increase in membrane concentration of DHA was seen in as little as 1,200 mg per day after 8 weeks. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010 Feb. 3.

I recommend using at least 6 softgels of Uber DHA Px for one month (2 bottles) to get triple that dose and accelerate the saturation rate.  Just as I recommend changing your training program frequently, I have seen the best results in nutrition with occasionally altering your regimen to stimulate a specific physiological response in the body.  After one month, I suggest cutting the dosage in half to 3 softgels per day for maintenance.

For extended reading on this topic, I recommend reading The Queen of Fats by Susan Allport.  It tells the story of how we’ve removed omega-3 fats from our food supply and the impact that has had on our collective health.