Like EPA, docosahexaenoic acid can be a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, nevertheless it’s received two extra carbons than EPA within the chain that makes up its structural spine (that is 22 carbons, in case you are counting).

DHA is commonly talked about for the vital roles it plays in brain development, each whereas we’re nonetheless within the womb and after.* Not solely does DHA make up a variety of the gray matter in our brains, nevertheless it’s additionally a key part of cell membranes (which have a serious influence on regular mobile features and signaling), in addition to neurons (the cells all through the mind and full central nervous system that ship and obtain messages).* DHA can be crucial for eye development and functioning all through life and located in giant portions in our retinas.*

When it comes to cardiovascular health, DHA will get a particular shout-out because it has a notable relationship with lipids (triglycerides and ldl cholesterol compounds), blood strain, and platelet aggregation, research point out.*

In relation to anti-inflammatory actions and important roles in immune operate, analysis demonstrates that DHA plays a major and synergistic role with EPA, lowering genetic expression of 4 forms of pro-inflammatory proteins and affecting white blood cell (our immune system’s “boots on the bottom”) manufacturing of key cytokines, and extra.*

As Ferira explains, “In relation to regular and lively decision of inflammatory pathways and supporting immune response pathways within the physique, DHA and EPA are each vital precursors for distinctive households of lipid bioactives in the body known as “proresolving mediators.” This vital community of lipid compounds was solely found up to now 30 or so years, because of Charles Serhan, Ph.D., at Harvard and others.”*

The truth is, there’s a whole subject devoted to this analysis often known as “decision physiology.” Ferira goes on to say that, “the underside line is that with out EPA and DHA being offered to our physique through weight loss plan and/or supplementation regularly, these lipid bioactives are merely not being produced (and are thus, actually not obtainable to do their vital work in these inflammatory and immune-relevant pathways), which is mind-blowing and straight-up regarding.”*