To understand how important DHA to human body
particular on how it helps to reduce stress which according to the study
reported in Nutrition journal. To know more about the two types of common forms
as DHA supplements.

What
is DHA? It’s was also commonly known as Docosahexaenoic acid which is an
omega-3 essential fatty acid. In chemical structures, it composes of carboxylic
acid with a 22-carbon chain and six cis (cis-trans isomerism) double bonds.
Docosahexaenoic acid is most often found in fish oil which is originates on
various photosynthetic and heterotrophic microalgae, and concentrates in
organisms as it moves up the food chain. Although some of these fish contain
low levels of mercury, based on the Food and Drug Administration it has found
that consuming several servings of fish each week poses no risk to healthy
people and conveys many health benefits.

Those
for women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant should avoid Atlantic
mackerel, shark, swordfish, and tilefish, and should limit consumption of white
albacore tuna to fewer than 6 oz. per week. (High-quality fish oil supplements
made by manufacturers who test for mercury and other toxins do not pose the
same risk of mercury contamination. Read labels carefully and check for purity,
or ask your doctor to help you find the best quality DHA supplement.) For
infants, breast milk from a well-nourished mother contains significant amounts
of DHA, while infant formula often has none.

Docosahexaenoic
acid (DHA) may regulate stress mediators, such as catecholamine’s (high levels
in the blood are associated with stress) and pro-inflammatory cytokines
(intercellular messengers responsible for signaling many cellular functions),
and it may help reduce perceived stress, according to a study reported in
Nutrition Journal.

Members
of a university staff who were stressed (measured by a score of 17 on the
Perceived Stress Scale) were randomized to two groups for a six-week trial.
Group one took six grams of fish oil containing 1.5 grams per day of DHA. Group
two took a placebo (six grams of olive oil). The groups were compared to one
another and also to a wider cross-sectional study population that did not
receive any treatment.

The
subjects had significant reductions in perceived stress in both the treatment
and placebo groups from baseline to the study’s conclusions. However, the
fish-oil group had a significantly better rate of stress reduction compared to
the control group while the placebo group did not. The researchers stated that
DHA appeared to have adaptogenic effects but that a larger study was needed to
support the findings.

The
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is available as a natural supplement in two usual
common forms:

·        
Fish
oil capsules which contain both DHA and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) ? another
omega-3 fatty acid, which this two omega-3 essential fatty acids that play
important roles in maintaining healthy skin as well as cardiovascular and
defense system function.

·        
DHA
extracted from algae (which contains no EPA) ? What is algae? It is a large and
diverse group of autotrophic organism which is ranging from unicellular to
multicellular. This is also the largest and most complex marine forms are which
is called seaweeds. How about the benefits? Based on the initial reports it
claims that it helps to fight cancer, AIDS, heart disease, lower cholesterol,
boost the immune system , and detoxify the body.

About the author

Tags: albacore tuna, atlantic mackerel, carbon chain, cellular functions, double bonds, essential fatty acid, fish oil supplements, food and drug administration, heterotrophic, inflammatory cytokines, journal members, mackerel shark, mercury contamination, microalgae, nutrition journal, quality fish, stress scale, tilefish, trial group

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