DHA

DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid that is found in fatty fish and other sources. It is beneficial for pregnant and breastfeeding women, and it may also be useful for people with high cholesterol, heart disease, and other conditions. Since most people do not eat enough fish, DHA is available as a supplement. Potential side effects of DHA include bruising, gas, nausea, and prolonged bleeding.

 

What Is DHA?

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is an omega-3 fatty acid. Most DHA comes from marine sources (mainly fatty fish and certain algae and plankton). Because many people do not eat much fish (and since omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA, are recommended as part of a heart-healthy diet), DHA supplements have become very popular in recent years.
 
DHA supplementation may be useful for people with high cholesterol, heart disease, and numerous other conditions. It may also be beneficial for pregnant and breastfeeding women and in infant formula.
 
(Click Benefits of DHA for more information on what DHA is used for.)
 

How Does DHA Work?

DHA is an essential fatty acid, which means that humans must obtain DHA from the diet.
 DHA is thought to work in a variety of different ways, such as:
 
  • Inflammation -- DHA seems to decrease inflammation in the body by suppressing a specific enzyme (COX-2) and inflammatory chemicals such as interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF).
     
  • Triglycerides -- DHA lowers triglyceride levels by several different mechanisms.
     
  • Blood clotting -- DHA decreases blood viscosity (in common terms, it "thins" the blood) and has effects on red blood cells that may decrease the risk of blood clots.
     
  • Fetal and infant development -- DHA is important for the development of the brain and neurons.
     
These are just a few of the ways that researchers think DHA may work for a variety of conditions. As more studies are done, more information about how DHA works will become available.
 

Is DHA Effective?

DHA, especially when combined with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), has been studied much more than most dietary supplements and seems to be effective for several uses. Some uses have more scientific evidence in their favor than others (see Does DHA Work? for more information).
 

DHA Dosing Information

Although good dosing information is available for DHA plus EPA, there is less information for DHA alone. The best DHA dosages have not yet been established.
 
(Click DHA Dosage for more information.)
 

Side Effects of DHA

DHA can cause several side effects, such as:
 
  • Nausea
  • Gas
  • Bruising
  • Prolonged bleeding.
     
(Click DHA Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 

Drug Interactions With DHA

DHA can potentially interact with several medications (see DHA Drug Interactions).
 

DHA Safety

Normal doses of DHA are probably safe for most people, although high doses can cause problems. Some people may be more likely to experience problems due to DHA. Therefore, you should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking DHA if you have:
 
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about all other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Is DHA Safe? for more information, including any available DHA warnings and precautions.)
 

What If I Take a DHA Overdose?

It is not known exactly what to expect from a DHA overdose, but it is reasonable to assume that taking too much DHA may cause the usual side effects of DHA (but they may perhaps be more severe). Theoretically, a DHA overdose may cause severe problems, such as internal bleeding.
 
(Click DHA Overdose for more information.)
 

DHA: Storage Methods

Refer to the label of your individual DHA product for information on how to best store DHA. Keep DHA out of the reach of children.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;