DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid. Studies show that it plays an important role in the visual and cognitive development of infants as well as helping to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. It is predominantly found in wild catch oily fish and algal oil.
What is omega-3 DHA?
The nutritional importance of omega-3 DHA
There are three principal health benefits attributed to the consumption of the long chain omega-3 PUFAs, EPA and DHA:
Brain development and cognitive function
Omega-3 DHA is critical to the development of the brain and optimal cognitive function in infants, and has a continued role for children. Breast milk provides at least 50mg of DHA to babies each day. Based on the rate of accumulation in the human brain, there is a need to supply DHA either via breast milk or fortified infant formulas during the first year of life. The role of omega-3s in behavior, learning and maintenance in older children and the elderly is also emerging.
Developmental and maintenance role in visual acuity
Omega-3 DHA has long been known to be important for visual function. The highest concentration of DHA found in the human body is in the retina. Studies investigating the effects of food enriched with DHA on visual development in infants have found that feeding infants DHA-supplemented food from 6 months of age results in better visual function by 12 months of age compared to the control (non-DHA-supplemented) infants.
Cardiovascular health and disease prevention/recovery
Omega-3s have a direct influence on reducing the risk of heart disease by preventing irregularities in the rhythm of the heart, protecting against the formation of plaques in arteries and reducing blood pressure. Key studies also demonstrate the role of omega-3s in reducing sudden death by up to 45% in people who had previously experienced a heart attack.
Source: (Burr et al, 1989, GISSI, 1999)
Global omega-3 DHA and EPA health claims (Food)
-
USA
EPA/DHA and blood pressure and hypertension (conventional foods and dietary supplements that contain at least 0.8 grams EPA+DHA).
Consuming EPA and DHA combined may help lower blood pressure in the general population and reduce the risk of hypertension. However, the FDA has concluded that the evidence is inconsistent and inconclusive. One serving of [name of the food or dietary supplement] provides [ ] gram(s) of EPA and DHA.
Omega-3 fatty acids and coronary heart disease.
"Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. One serving of [Name of the food] provides [ ] gram of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids. [See nutrition information for total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol content.]"
Note: Dietary supplements may declare the amount of EPA and DHA per serving in "Supplement Facts," instead of making the declaration in the claim.
-
Canada
EPA/DHA and Triglyceride Reduction (0.5 g EPA/DHA).
“(Long-chain) (omega-3) EPA and DHA help reduce/lower triglycerides”.
-
European Union
DHA and maintenance of normal brain function (40 mg of DHA per 100 g and per 100 kcal together with information that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 250 mg of DHA).
“DHA contributes to maintenance of normal brain function”.
DHA and maintenance of normal vision (40 mg of DHA per 100 g and per 100 kcal together with information that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 250 mg of DHA)
“DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal vision”
DHA + EPA and maintenance of normal cardiac function (40 mg of DHA per 100 g and per 100 kcal together with information that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 250 mg of DHA).
“EPA and DHA contribute to the normal function of the heart”.
DHA and maintenance of normal (fasting) blood concentrations of triglycerides (2 g of DHA and which contains DHA in combination with EPA together with information that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 2 g of DHA).
“DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal blood triglyceride levels”.
DHA + EPA and maintenance of normal blood pressure (3 g of DHA and EPA together with information that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 3 g of DHA and EPA).
“DHA and EPA contribute to the maintenance of normal blood pressure”.
Normal visual development in infants (100 mg of DHA as a daily intake and when the claim is used on follow-on formula, it shall contain at least 0.3 % of the total fatty acids as DHA).
“DHA intake contributes to the normal visual development of infants up to 12 months of age”.
DHA and normal development of eyes in infants (200 mg DHA as a daily intake together with information to pregnant and lactating women that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 200 mg of DHA in addition to the recommended daily intake for omega-3 fatty acids for adults, ie: 250 mg DHA and EPA).
“DHA maternal intake contributes to the normal development of the eye of the foetus and breastfed infants”.
DHA and normal brain development in infants (200 mg DHA as a daily intake together with information to pregnant and lactating women that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 200 mg of DHA in addition to the recommended daily intake for omega-3 fatty acids for adults, ie: 250 mg DHA and EPA).
“DHA maternal intake contributes to the normal brain development of the foetus and breastfed infants”.
-
Australia / New Zealand
EPA and DHA and heart health (50 mg EPA and DHA combined in a serving of food).
"EPA and DHA contribute to heart health".
Country
Claim
USA
EPA/DHA and blood pressure and hypertension (conventional foods and dietary supplements that contain at least 0.8 grams EPA+DHA).
Consuming EPA and DHA combined may help lower blood pressure in the general population and reduce the risk of hypertension. However, the FDA has concluded that the evidence is inconsistent and inconclusive. One serving of [name of the food or dietary supplement] provides [ ] gram(s) of EPA and DHA.
Omega-3 fatty acids and coronary heart disease.
"Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. One serving of [Name of the food] provides [ ] gram of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids. [See nutrition information for total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol content.]"
Note: Dietary supplements may declare the amount of EPA and DHA per serving in "Supplement Facts," instead of making the declaration in the claim.
Canada
EPA/DHA and Triglyceride Reduction (0.5 g EPA/DHA).
“(Long-chain) (omega-3) EPA and DHA help reduce/lower triglycerides”.
European Union
DHA and maintenance of normal brain function (40 mg of DHA per 100 g and per 100 kcal together with information that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 250 mg of DHA).
“DHA contributes to maintenance of normal brain function”.
DHA and maintenance of normal vision (40 mg of DHA per 100 g and per 100 kcal together with information that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 250 mg of DHA)
“DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal vision”
DHA + EPA and maintenance of normal cardiac function (40 mg of DHA per 100 g and per 100 kcal together with information that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 250 mg of DHA).
“EPA and DHA contribute to the normal function of the heart”.
DHA and maintenance of normal (fasting) blood concentrations of triglycerides (2 g of DHA and which contains DHA in combination with EPA together with information that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 2 g of DHA).
“DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal blood triglyceride levels”.
DHA + EPA and maintenance of normal blood pressure (3 g of DHA and EPA together with information that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 3 g of DHA and EPA).
“DHA and EPA contribute to the maintenance of normal blood pressure”.
Normal visual development in infants (100 mg of DHA as a daily intake and when the claim is used on follow-on formula, it shall contain at least 0.3 % of the total fatty acids as DHA).
“DHA intake contributes to the normal visual development of infants up to 12 months of age”.
DHA and normal development of eyes in infants (200 mg DHA as a daily intake together with information to pregnant and lactating women that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 200 mg of DHA in addition to the recommended daily intake for omega-3 fatty acids for adults, ie: 250 mg DHA and EPA).
“DHA maternal intake contributes to the normal development of the eye of the foetus and breastfed infants”.
DHA and normal brain development in infants (200 mg DHA as a daily intake together with information to pregnant and lactating women that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 200 mg of DHA in addition to the recommended daily intake for omega-3 fatty acids for adults, ie: 250 mg DHA and EPA).
“DHA maternal intake contributes to the normal brain development of the foetus and breastfed infants”.
Australia / New Zealand
EPA and DHA and heart health (50 mg EPA and DHA combined in a serving of food).
"EPA and DHA contribute to heart health".
