Dha omega-3:

the health nutrient for seniors

For the past twenty years, DHA omega-3 has been associated with supporting heart health, and the good news about this healthy fatty acid is increasing. Jane Dummer, a registered dietitian, explains, “Research suggests that consuming DHA omega-3 might be beneficial for cognitive health in our later years.”

DHA omega-3 is a type of essential fat that is good for you and is found naturally throughout the body, most abundantly in the brain, eyes, and heart. An essential fat means we need to get enough of it through our diet to maintain and support proper brain, eye, and heart health.

Dummer, adds, “DHA is especially concentrated in the region responsible for complex thinking skills. A recently published study in the Alzheimer’s Association Journal Alzheimer’s & Dementia has demonstrated the benefits of algal supplementation in improving memory in older adults. There is also some research linking DHA omega-3 to age-related eye health. The research suggests DHA may decrease the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration. However, additional research is needed to confirm this relationship.”

It is important for adults to obtain adequate amounts of DHA in their diets.

Sources include fatty fish, such as salmon, sardines, and tuna. Other options include food that has been enriched with DHA and algal-based supplements. Life’s DHA, produced from algae, is a natural vegetarian source of DHA and can be found in many everyday foods, such as certain varieties of whole grains and yogurt.