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.