Docosahexaenoic Acid - Health Benefits

Health Benefits of DHA

Aging Process

 The Brain’s content of DHA declines in tandem with the progression of the Aging Process (supplemental DHA may retard this decline).  ^[1]

 DHA may inhibit the age-related shortening of Telomeres.  ^[2]

Cardiovascular System

 DHA (1,500 mg per day) may counteract Arrhythmias (it may reduce ventricular premature complexes associated with Arrhythmias by approximately 50%).  ^[3]

 DHA may reduce the proliferation of the atherogenic Plaque that is involved in the development of Atherosclerosis:  ^[4]

 DHA may reduce the risk of abnormal Blood Clotting by preventing the blood's platelets from becoming too sticky:  ^[5]

 DHA may lower Blood Pressure in High Blood Pressure patients (by increasing the body's production of Prostaglandin E1 and by inhibiting the production of Aldosterone).  ^[6]

 DHA may help to prevent Ischemic Heart Disease:  ^[7]

 DHA helps to prevent Heart Attacks.  ^[8]

 DHA may help to prevent Strokes and may alleviate the Dementia that often results from Strokes:  ^[9]

 DHA may protect the Brain from many of the toxic after-effects of Stroke (this means that people who supplement with or consume high dietary quantities of DHA prior to experiencing a Stroke will experience less cognitive impairment and Brain damage following a Stroke).

Cells

 DHA stimulates the (normal) Apoptosis of some types of Cancer cells.  ^[10]

 DHA concentrates in the Cell Membranes of the Brain and Nerve Cells, Nerve Synapses, Retina of the Eye, Inner Ear, Adrenal Glands and Sex Glands.  DHA increases the fluidity of Cell Membranes (more so than any other Fatty Acid).  ^[11]

Digestive System

 DHA may improve the condition of Crohn's Disease patients.  ^[12]

 DHA may protect the Small Intestine from the damage caused by Methotrexate therapy.  ^[13]

 DHA may help to prevent Ulcerative Colitis.  ^[14]

Eyes/Vision:  Ailments

 DHA may help to prevent Age-Related Macular Degeneration (ARMD).  ^[15]

 DHA may help to prevent Cataracts.  ^[16]

 DHA may help to prevent/treat Eyes - Dry.  ^[17]

 DHA may improve the condition of Glaucoma patients – many Glaucoma patients are deficient in DHA.  ^[18]

 DHA (480 mg per day) may alleviate the Night Blindness that is commonly experienced by Dyslexia patients.  ^[19]

 Most Retinitis Pigmentosa patients are found to be deficient in DHA and researchers have speculated that supplementing with DHA may alleviate the symptoms of Retinitis Pigmentosa (by restoring deficient endogenous DHA levels to normal):  ^[20]

 Persons afflicted with the X-Linked form of Retinitis Pigmentosa have DHA levels that are up to 40% lower than those of normal-sighted people.

 Retinitis Pigmentosa patients have a significant impairment in their ability to convert endogenous Clupanodonic Acid to DHA (indicating that it would be ineffective for Retinitis Pigmentosa patients to supplement with precursors of DHA in an attempt to restore endogenous DHA levels).

Eyes/Vision:  Enhancement

 Supplemental DHA may improve Sight (due to its essential role in the optimal functioning of the Retina).  ^[21]

Eyes/Vision:  Underlying Mechanisms

 DHA is highly concentrated in the Retina of the Eyes and may enhance the function of the Cones and Rods of the Retina - the Retina contains higher concentrations of DHA than any other tissue of the body:  ^[22]

 DHA may help to protect Photoreceptors from Free Radicals-induced death (apoptosis).  ^[23]

Immune System

 DHA may enhance the ability of some Anti-Cancer Prescribed Medications (particularly Doxorubicin) to destroy Cancer cells and DHA may stimulate the Apoptosis of some types of Cancer cells:  ^[24]

 DHA may help to prevent Breast Cancer and may inhibit the further growth and of existing Cancer - Breast.  ^[25]

 DHA may help to prevent and treat Cancer - Colon.  ^[26]