DHA for Your
Nervous System and Heart

The cells in the brain, retina and other parts of the nervous system have connecting arms that transport electrical currents, sending messages throughout the body. DHA ensures the optimal composition of nerve cell membranes necessary for the most effective transmission of these signals. DHA is also important for maintaining a healthy heart and cardiovascular system.

DHA Supports a Healthy Heart
DHA keeps blood from clotting too quickly, and thus are important in maintaining heart and circulatory health. Omega 3 essential fatty acids found in DHA and fish oils impart a number of benefits to several body systems, especially the heart. They act in the cells of the cardiovascular system predominantly helping to reduce the risk of arrythmias irregular heart rhythms, which can cause sudden death. They can also lower raised triglyceride fat level linked to heart disease and slow the growth of plaques that can narrow or block arteries and result in angina or heart attack ¹

DHA Supports a Healthy Nervous System
Supplementation may be helpful to anyone with a low DHA intake, especially for supporting a healthy nervous system. DHA has been associated with optimal memory function, visual acuity, and maintaining a positive mental state. DHA is an integral component of all membranes with electrical activity. The cells in our brain, retina and other parts of the nervous system have a complex network of connecting arms that transport electrical messages throughout the body. DHA's presence in nerve cell membranes is critical because this is messages are transmitted. It is at the membrane that nerve cells perform their unique function of generating the electrical impulses that are the basis of all communication in the nervous system.

Without the necessary fatty acids, this communication system can break down or become less effective. DHA supplementation may be especially important as we grow older. The body's ability to synthesize DHA, which is very limited in all human beings, may decline even further with age.

Research suggests that aging interferes with the activity if delta-6-desaturase, the enzyme involved in the conversion of omega-3 fatty acids into DNA. Elderly people with inadequate or DHA-deficient diets may benefit from a supplementary source of DHA. ¹

References:

1. Von Schacky, C et al. The effect of di etary omega-3 fatty acids on coronary atherosclerosis. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trail. Annals of Internal Medicine, 1999 April, 130:7, 554-62.


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