What is DHA Omega-3?
DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) is an omega-3 fatty acid found through the body, in especially high concentrations in the brain and retina. It is required for optimal cognitive and visual performance and is also an essential component of the heart.
Benefits of DHA
- Recognized biological benefit by Health Canada "DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid, supports the normal development of the brain, eyes and nerves"1
- DHA supports a healthy heart and is recommended to prevent cardiovascular disease by the American Heart Association
- Proven benefit for the human heart, reduces blood pressure, decreases the heart rate and may also be a factor in helping increase good cholesterol 2
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Contributing factor in helping prevent major health conditions, including:
childhood development disorders, psychological disorders and more 3 - A low intake of omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to be a major factor in preventable deaths, primarily due to cardiovascular disease.4
Are Canadian children getting enough DHA?
A recent study has shown that Canadian children have very low intakes of DHA omega-3. The study estimated that 90% of children are not consuming enough DHA and EPA as compared to guidelines from the Dieticians of Canada.5
VitalaMilk is very well suited for when a child is transitioning from breast milk or formula, as they are in a stage of early childhood development that presents a great need for DHA, a need not being fully satisfied by conventional whole milk.
It is equally as important that pregnant and nursing mothers' be getting enough DHA Omega-3 as the health of the mother is extremely important to ensuring the health of the child. Any fatty acid deficiencies in the mother will adversely affect the developing child as infants have limited abilities to synthesize long chain fatty acids such as DHA. Instead, they rely primarily on the mothers' reserves, so as fatty acids are being continually passed along to the baby, this creates a need for the mother to actively replenish her reserves.6 Doctors recommend that pregnant women should take at least 200 mg of DHA to provide for their developing infant.7
Additional Resources
There are many available resources that discuss the emerging health benefits of these building block nutrients, for a selection of our favourites please visit the references and links below:
- DHA / EPA Omega 3 Institute (http://www.dhaomega3.org)
- Life’s DHA (http://www.lifesdha.com)
Click here for a downloadable PDF summary of the above information
1 Acceptable Biological Role Claims for Nutrients, Health Canada (Link) 2 Bhaskar, Narayan; et al. Physiological Effect of Eicosapentanoic Acid (EPA) and Docosahexanoic Acid (DHA) -- A review. Food Reviews International 2006;22:291-307
3 Health Conditions, DHA/EPA Omega-3 Institute. 2006-2007. (Link)
4 C. Torrejon, U.J. Jung, and R.J. Deckelbaum, “N-3 Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease: Actions and Molecular Mechanisms,” Prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and essential fatty acids 77, no. 5-6 (2007): 319–326. 5 "Direct Diet Quantification Indicates Low Intakes of (n-3) Fatty Acids in Children 4 to 8 Years Old -- Madden et al., 10.3945/jn.108.100628 -- Journal of Nutrition," http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/jn.108.100628v1 2009; 139(3):528-532
6 Long-chain PUFA fatty acid requirements during pregnancy and lactation (Link)
7 Prenatal Nutrition Guidelines: DHA in pregnancy, Health Canada (Link)
VitalaMilk
VitalaMilk contains DHA Omega-3, an essential fatty acid that supports the normal development of the brain, eyes and nerves as well as CLA, vitamins and minerals.
VitalaEggs
Our Free-Run, DHA Omega-3 VitalaEggs not only contain the goodness of Omega-3's but are also a source of Lutein which is beneficial for the health of your eyes.