Clinical Reserach

Docosahexaenoic acid, DHA, is a long-chain polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid. It is a structural and functional fat found in all tissues of the body. In fact, DHA represents about 97% of all omega-3 fatty acids in the brain and 93% of all omega-3 fatty acids in the retina.

Numerous studies confirm that everyone, from infants to adults, benefits from an adequate supply of DHA. DHA plays an important role in the following:

• Memory function
• Brain and central nervous system development and function
• Physchomotor development (such as hand-eye coordination)
• Visual development and function
• Heart health
• Nerve signal transmission

There are thousands of studies evaluating the role of omega-3 fatty acids, and DHA specifically, on human health and nutrition. Recent research is focusing on the important role of DHA in mental and visual development and function during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and in infant and toddler nutrition. There is also exciting new research evaluating the possible effect of DHA in reducing the risk of certain neurological disorders. Much of this recent research is preliminary and additional studies will be needed to evaluate the effect of DHA.*