When you hear DHA, a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid found in fatty fish and algae. Also known as docosahexaenoic acid, it’s one of the most important fats your body can’t make on its own. Unlike other nutrients, DHA isn’t just a supplement—it’s a structural building block. About 30% of your brain’s fat and nearly 60% of your retina’s fat is made of DHA. That means every time you think, see, or remember something, you’re using DHA. If you’re pregnant, nursing, or over 50, your body’s need for it goes up—not because you’re sick, but because your brain and eyes are working harder than ever.
DHA doesn’t work alone. It’s part of a team with EPA, another omega-3, but while EPA fights inflammation, DHA builds and repairs. That’s why studies show kids with low DHA levels have more trouble focusing, and older adults with higher levels keep sharper memories longer. Pregnant women who get enough DHA have babies with better visual and cognitive development—something the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists actually recommends. But here’s the catch: most people don’t get enough from diet alone. Even if you eat salmon twice a week, you might still be falling short. That’s why supplements, especially algae-based ones for vegans, are becoming common. And yes, some of those supplements are the same ones used in infant formula.
But DHA isn’t just about brains and eyes. It’s tied to heart rhythm, lung function, and even how your body handles stress. When you take a fish oil pill, you’re not just getting DHA—you’re getting a signal to your cells to calm down, repair, and reset. That’s why doctors see it helping with everything from postpartum depression to age-related macular degeneration. It’s not magic. It’s biology. And it’s backed by decades of research, not marketing.
What you’ll find below isn’t a list of random articles. It’s a collection of real, practical guides that connect DHA to things you actually deal with: drug interactions, pregnancy safety, supplement quality, and how your genes affect how you use it. One post explains how milk thistle can mess with liver enzymes that process omega-3s. Another shows how genetic differences in CYP2D6 can change how your body responds to supplements. There’s even a guide on reading pregnancy labels to make sure your DHA choice is safe. This isn’t theory. It’s what you need to know before you open another bottle.
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