DHA

DHA, which is found in fatty fish and other sources, is an omega-3 fatty acid. 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 include bruising, gas, nausea, and prolonged bleeding.

 

What Is DHA?

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is an omega-3 fatty acid. Most 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 are recommended as part of a heart-healthy diet), DHA supplements have become popular in recent years.
 
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 this product is used for.)
 

How Does It Work?

DHA is an essential fatty acid, which means that humans must obtain it from the diet.
 This product 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 this product may work for a variety of conditions. As more studies are done, more information 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.
 
(Click Does DHA Work? for more information.)
 

Dosing Information

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

Are There Side Effects?

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 you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 

Drug Interactions

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

Safety Issues With DHA

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 than others. Therefore, you should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking it 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 warnings and precautions.)
 

What If I Take an Overdose?

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

How Should DHA Be Stored?

Refer to the label of your individual product for information on how to best store it. Keep DHA and all supplements and medication 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;