Human body is not capable of synthezing these fatty acids. Hence, they are called essential fatty acids (EFA). They are major components of brain cells and thus crucial for proper nervous system function. The deficiency of omega 3 fatty acids has been associated with multitude brain disorders such as depression, learning skills, memory loss. 

    Top sources are: eel, tuna, mackerel, rainbow trout, salmon, herring.

    Cultures whose diet is high in omega 3 fatty acids (such as the Eskimos who eat a lot of fish) have a lower incidence of degenerative diseases of the central nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis.

        * Experimental animals whose diets are low in DHA have been found to have smaller brains and delayed central-nervous-system development.
        * Some children with poor school performance because of ADD, have been shown to have insufficient essential fatty acids in their diet.

    DHA appears in high levels in coldwater fish: sardines, salmon, and albacore tuna.

    Omega-3 DHA ‘docosahexaenoic acid’ is an essential fatty
    acid, which cannot be manufactured in our body and must
    be obtained daily through our diets.  DHA is the most
    complex form of Omega-3.

    The brain is 60% fat, of which DHA is one of the most important components essential for brain and eye function. DHA is also present in every other cell in your body, in the membrane of the tiny structures (mitochondria) that make energy. These are especially concentrated in heart muscle cells. 

    Very small amounts of DHA may be made in the body from an essential fatty acid, linolenic acid, but the amount made is probably low and most DHA comes from our diet. DHA is mainly found in animal products such as fish, eggs and meats. 

    Oily fish, such as mackerel, herring, salmon, trout, sardines, pilchards, are the richest dietary source of EFAs, containing 10 to 100 times more DHA than non-marine food sources such as nuts, seeds, wholegrains and dark green, leafy vegetables. Those who follow a strict vegetarian are most likely to have a low DHA level. The only rich vegetable source of DHA is algae. 

    In older people, low levels of DHA have been linked with memory loss, mood swings and conditions such as dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism.

    DHA is one of the omega-3 fatty acids that makes fish oils so beneficial for heart health. 

    t has beneficial effects on cholesterol and triglyceride levels and may also have beneficial effects on blood pressure and heart rhythm. Ideally we should all eat fish at least twice a week. Sadly, however, because of the levels of pollutants such as mercury, dioxins and PCBs, the Food Standards Agency recently advised that only one of these portions should be oily fish. 

    While FDA does not have a regulation establishing a recommended daily intake for DHA, the agency has not objected to the use of 160 mg as a daily value for DHA.

    A workshop sponsored by the National Institutes of Health and International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (NIH/ISSFAL) recommended an intake of 220mg/day of DHA for healthy adults.

    Algae - Certain algae are natural sources of DHA. And while most people believe that fish produce their own DHA, in fact, it’s the algae they feed on that make them a rich source of DHA.

        * Fatty fish including anchovies, salmon, herring, mackerel, tuna and halibut
        * Organ meat such as liver
        * Small amounts are found in egg yolks.

    The dietitians of North America have officially recommended a target intake of 500 mg/day (DHA+EPA) for healthy adults with no specific differentiation between genders. It is noted that PeriLip (under sponsorship of the European Union) have advised on a target intake of 200 mg./day of DHA during pregnancy and lactation. 

    In a 2002 report, IoM recommended a safe level for EPA and DHA of about 270mg per day, a figure industry would consider as being at the low end of the spectrum.

    The American Dietetic Association recommend a minimum combined intake of 500 mg/day EPA and DHA to support heart health.

    In 2003, an EVM report recommended 450mg. There are higher measures such as 2000mg per day from a Japanese report.

V-Pure Vegan EPA-DHA Omega-3
Oily fish are rich sources of omega-3 EPA and DHA, but this is due to their diet of algae.