DHA is a fatty acid that supports brain and eye health. Breastfed babies receive it through breast milk, while formula-fed infants can get it through DHA infant formula. DHA is also important for adults and pregnant women, and can be found in fatty fish or taken as a supplement. Synthetic DHA extracted with hexane is a concern, but water-processed DHA without hexane is available.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid that is used in conjunction with arachidonic acid (ARA) to supply the body with structural fats. In turn, these structural fats provide support to the brain and eyes, and this works to strengthen vision and improve brain function. Breastfed babies can receive DHA in breast milk. For formula-fed infants, there is DHA infant formula, a breast milk substitute with DHA added during the manufacturing process.
The DHA and ARA supplementation in DHA infant formula is designed to mimic the composition of human breast milk. These omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are the most common long-chain fatty acids found in breast milk, and are crucial for optimal infant nutrition. DHA and ARA accumulate in the brain and eyes of breastfed babies, providing the baby with significant advantages in intelligence quotient (IQ), behavior, and visual development. DHA infant formula seeks to provide formula-fed infants with developmental advantages similar to those found in their breastfed counterparts.
Organ meats and fatty fish are the main food sources for DHA, but the omega-3 fatty acid supplied in DHA infant formula is extracted from algae grown in fermentation tanks. Manufacturers of synthetic DHA use the neurotoxic chemical hexane to extract DHA from fermented algae. Although the hexane is supposed to evaporate during the manufacturing process, there are concerns that residues may remain in the fatty acids used for supplementation. In 2010, the United States Department of Agriculture called for the removal of synthetic DHA and ARA from organic infant formula.
Babies are not the only age group that benefits from DHA and other fatty acids in the diet. DHA plays an important role in maintaining brain and eye health at all stages of life. DHA supplementation for adults is available in fish oil capsules or by adding DHA-rich foods to the diet.
DHA is abundant in fatty cold-water fish such as tuna, salmon, sardines, and herring. It is also important for pregnant women to consume. In the third trimester, the fetal brain undergoes a growth spurt. During this period of growth, a large amount of DHA and ARA are extracted from maternal resources and accumulate in the fetus.
DHA infant formula is readily available from all major manufacturers of infant formulas. For breast milk replacers that do not include the addition of synthetic DHA and ARA, parents can purchase a baby fish oil supplement. Additionally, consumers who are concerned about the hexane extraction process can purchase water-processed DHA without hexane derived from egg yolk.
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