#418: Should We Consume a Direct Source of DHA?

Today’s Topic in Focus:  DHA – Yay or Nay?

In this episode Danny and Alan discuss the debate around whether a direct source of the long-chain omega-3 fatty acid DHA should be recommended. Many people do not consume the marine foods (primarily fatty fish) that contain DHA, and higher DHA intakes, DHA status, and omega-3 indices are predictive of certain health outcomes.

But the essential omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) can be consumed from plant sources. So do those who do not consume direct sources of DHA have lower DHA status? Does this matter? And if so, then what pragmatic conclusions can we come to? All of this is covered in this episode.

Studies Referenced:

1. Baker et al., 2016 – Metabolism and functional effects of plant-derived omega-3 fatty acids in humans
2. Rosell et al., 2005 – Long-chain n–3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in plasma in British meat-eating, vegetarian, and vegan men
3. Barceló-Coblijn et al., 2008 – Flaxseed oil and fish-oil capsule consumption alters human red blood cell n-3 fatty acid composition: a multiple-dosing trial comparing 2 sources of n-3 fatty acid#
4. Geppert et al., 2005 – Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in vegetarians effectively increases omega-3 index: a randomized trial
5. Witte et al., 2014 – Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids improve brain function and structure in older adults
6. Arturburn et al., 2006 – Distribution, interconversion, and dose response of n-3 fatty acids in humans
7. Stark et al., 2016 – Global survey of the omega-3 fatty acids, docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid in the blood stream of healthy adults
8. Schwartz et al., 2009 – Modification of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids via complementary food enhances n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid synthesis in healthy infants: a double blinded randomised controlled trial
9. Gracious et al., 2010 – Randomized, placebo-controlled trial of flax oil in pediatric bipolar disorder
10. Sarter et al., 2015 – Blood docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid in vegans: Associations with age and gender and effects of an algal-derived omega-3 fatty acid supplement
11. Tan et al., 2012 – Red blood cell omega-3 fatty acid levels and markers of accelerated brain aging
12. Pan et al., 2012 – α-Linolenic acid and risk of cardiovascular disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis
13. Harris et al., 2021 – Blood n-3 fatty acid levels and total and cause-specific mortality from 17 prospective studies
14. Cunnane, 2000 – Hunter-gatherer diets—a shore-based perspective
15. Fleming & Kris-Etherton, 2014 – The Evidence for α-Linolenic Acid and Cardiovascular Disease Benefits: Comparisons with Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid
16. Flock et al., 2013 – Determinants of Erythrocyte Omega‐3 Fatty Acid Content in Response to Fish Oil Supplementation: A Dose–Response Randomized Controlled Trial
17. Kornsteiner et al., 2008 – Very Low n–3 Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Status in Austrian Vegetarians and Vegans
18. Greupner et al., 2018 – Effects of a 12-week high-α-linolenic acid intervention on EPA and DHA concentrations in red blood cells and plasma oxylipin pattern in subjects with a low EPA and DHA status
19. Brenna et al., 2009 – alpha-Linolenic acid supplementation and conversion to n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in humans
20. Martinez, 2002 – Tissue levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids during early human development
21. Kar et al., 2016 – Effects of omega-3 fatty acids in prevention of early preterm delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized studies
22. Cheatham et al., 2006 – N-3 fatty acids and cognitive and visual acuity development: methodologic and conceptual considerations
23. Fokkema et al., 2000 – Short-term supplementation of low-dose gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), or GLA plus ALA does not augment LCP omega 3 status of Dutch vegans to an appreciable extent
24. Johnson et al., 2008 – Cognitive findings of an exploratory trial of docosahexaenoic acid and lutein supplementation in older women
25. Dangour et al., 2010 – Effect of 2-y n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on cognitive function in older people: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial