Vegetarian Omega-3 DHA

DHA

DHA is an omega-3, long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid and it is the primary building block of the human brain tissue and eye. The human brain is about 60% fat, and DHA is one of the crucial structural fatty acids in both the brain and the retina.   Approximately 30% of the structural lipid in the gray matter of the brain is DHA. Thus, it is required for the proper functioning of the neural systems. DHA is vital for normal brain development of the fetus and infant and for the maintenance of normal brain function throughout life*. Additionally, many scientific parties have made recommendations regarding the intake of omega-3 fatty acids for cardiovascular health because it has been shown to help lower and, normalize certain blood lipids*. DHA may lower triglyceride levels and in some, may elevate HDL (good) cholesterol levels*. Unfortunately, the typical Western diet may not provide sufficient amounts of DHA, and fatty fish or fish oils always have the risk of containing potentially harmful pollutants, such as dioxin and mercury*. Interestingly, many vegetarians, vegans, and raw foods dieters are also at risk of having insufficiencies of DHA unless they supplement*

The DHA used in this product is derived from algae grown under sanitary manufacturing conditions. It has slight fishy smell and aftertaste which is characteristic of algae oil. It is clean, safe and free of contaminants.

DEVA Omega-3 DHA is 100% vegan, vegetarian and is certified by the Vegan Society, the non-profit organization that actually invented the word "vegan".

• Studies have shown improved intelligence scores of breast fed children whose mothers took DHA supplements during pregnancy and nursing.¹

• DHA deficiencies starting in childhood can contribute to multiple problems later in life, such as hyperactivity and allergies. In fact, dyslexia and ADHD have been linked to the low DHA intake common in the United States.² An adequate level of DHA has been found to improve behavior and symptoms of ADHD.^{3, 4}

• Algae-derived DHA was found in recent studies to increase the HDL/LDL ratio and decrease the total cholesterol/HDL ratio as well as lower triglycerides⁵. DHA also increases the elasticity of the blood vessels and reduces total vascular resistance resulting in a lower pulse pressure that has significant effects at lessening the occurrence of cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes.⁶ It also has an anti-arrhythmic effect reducing the overall rate of fatal heart attacks.⁷

• Many vegetarians who consume sufficient flax, hemp, walnuts and greens as a source of short chain Omega-3 may manufacture sufficient DHA fat on their own, but even with an ideal diet, lots of those on vegan diets are still found to be too low in this extremely beneficial compound.⁸