The human brain is made up of almost 60% fat, with essential fatty acids being necessary for optimal brain health. DHA, a long-chain polyunsaturated essential fatty acid, is the main structural fat in the human brain and is important for child development and brain health in adults. DHA can be consumed through the diet, particularly from oily cold-water fish and plant-based sources such as walnuts and flaxseeds. DHA supplements can also be taken to ensure adequate intake.
The human brain is made up of almost 60 percent fat, making it the fattest organ in the human body. Brain fats are from a specialized group known as essential fatty acids. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is what is known as a long-chain polyunsaturated essential fatty acid, and is the main structural fat in the human brain.
Essential fatty acids are necessary for the maintenance of optimal brain health. These fatty acids cannot be independently supplied or created by the human body; rather, they must be consumed through the diet. The two main branches of essential fatty acids are linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid. The human body uses alpha-linolenic acid to make the polyunsaturated fatty acid DHA.
The human brain and DHA go hand in hand, particularly when it comes to child development. Newborns receive DHA through breast milk. DHA accumulates in the brain of breastfed babies, giving them advantages in intelligence quotient (IQ), motor development, and hand-eye coordination. In 2001, manufacturers began adding synthetic DHA to infant formula in an attempt to provide formula-fed infants with similar benefits.
Pregnancy, particularly during the third trimester, is another time when there is a connection between the brain and DHA. The fetal brain undergoes a growth spurt, drawing DHA from maternal stores. DHA accumulates in the fetus and, at birth, the newborn’s brain is 70 percent of its adult size. DHA supplements during pregnancy, if suggested or approved by the woman’s physician, can help supply the additional DHA needed during this crucial period.
It is important that one does not rely solely on alpha-linolenic acid conversion when it comes to the brain and DHA. The omega-3 fatty acid DHA can also be consumed directly through the diet. Oily cold-water fish such as salmon, herring, tuna, and sardines are excellent sources of DHA in the diet. Vegetarians can incorporate plant-based sources of DHA such as walnuts, flaxseeds, and cauliflower into their diets.
There is a critical relationship between the brain and DHA. DHA supports brain health in adults, as well as infants and children. Maintaining optimal brain nutrition through adequate intake of DHA increases memory and concentration, and may play an important role in preventing degenerative brain diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
DHA tablets are another way to ensure that the body receives an adequate amount of these so-called “brain vitamins.” Fish oil supplements are rich in omega-3s and can help the body meet the recommended daily guidelines for this essential fatty acid. Vegetarian supplements are also available for those who do not want to consume omega-3s from a fish source.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
