Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) is an Omega-3 fatty acid. Although it is found in most tissues throughout the body, the highest concentrations of DHA are in the brain, nervous system and the retina of the eye. The more DHA is consumed in the diet, the more DHA is available for these tissues.

Omega-3s are fatty acids which have been studied for their role in health and well-being. DHA is one type of Omega-3 nutrient that has been studied for its role in heart, brain and eye health. Horizon Organic Milk Plus DHA Omega-3 is fortified with a natural, 100 percent vegetarian and sustainable source of DHA — a safe, wholesome, delicious way to bring more of this important nutrient into your family's diet.

Although DHA is present in most tissues within the body, DHA accumulates at greatest concentrations within the brain, nervous system and retinal tissue of the eye. Therefore, it is recognized to play a role in supporting normal development in these areas. DHA has also been shown to help promote heart health.

Marine algae are natural sources of DHA, the only Omega-3 fatty acid shown to support brain, eye and heart health. And, while many people believe that fish produce their own DHA, it's actually the algae that fish eat that make them a rich source of DHA. Marine algae are the only vegetarian source of DHA. Many food products claim to be a good source of Omega-3s, but not all Omega-3s are created equal. Other vegetarian sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, such as walnuts, flaxseed and vegetable oils are actually sources of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), not DHA. The body can make DHA from ALA, but the process is very inefficient. The most reliable way to ensure the body gets enough DHA is to include pre-formed DHA, like the kind found in Horizon Organic Milk Plus DHA Omega-3, in your diet.

There is no difference between vegetarian DHA from microalgae and DHA from a fish source. Fish and fish oils are common sources of DHA. However, Martek (the supplier of the DHA used in Horizon Organic Milk Plus DHA Omega-3) has gone directly to the source and developed a process that extracts DHA from algae, the fish's original source. This yields a highly purified form of DHA — life'sDHA^TM. life'sDHA^TM is from algae grown in fermentation tanks, not from fish, and therefore contains no ocean-borne contaminants.

DHA naturally occurs in fish, particularly fatty fish. Salmon, herring, albacore and bluefin tuna and whitefish are all sources of DHA. The DHA used in our Horizon Organic Milk Plus DHA Omega-3 is a vegetarian source derived from algae that is fully sustainable.

A recent report from the Institute of Medicine (National Institutes of Health, 2005) has suggested that a healthy diet include 1600 mg of Omega-3. Ideally, 10% of that will come from long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids, such as DHA.

Unfortunately, people who consume a typical Western diet are at risk for low intakes of DHA — in fact, most Americans consume less than 100 mg of DHA per day, far below ideal levels.^* This is because the primary dietary sources of DHA are fatty fish and organ meats, dietary choices that are not staples of the Western diet. Additionally, expert bodies such as the FDA and EPA have advised pregnant and nursing women and children to limit their fish consumption due to the potentially high levels of toxins such as mercury. As a result, there is a need for alternative dietary sources of DHA, like Horizon Organic Milk Plus DHA Omega-3, to ensure that we can include adequate levels of DHA in our diets.

^*Food and Nutrition Board. Institute of Medicine, National Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (2005) Dietary Reference Intakes for Energy, Carbohydrate, Fiber, Fat, Fatty Acids, Cholesterol, Protein and Amino Acids. The National Academies Press, Washington, DC.

There is a large and growing body of scientific evidence suggesting that people of all ages, from infants to aging adults, may benefit from an adequate supply of DHA Omega-3 in the diet. Some research includes:

• Brain Health. DHA is highly concentrated within brain tissue, accounting for up to 20 percent of total brain mass. Some studies indicate that DHA may help support mental development in infants, and play a role in normal brain function throughout life. DHA has also been studied for its possible role in certain behavioral and mood disorders affecting both children and adults. Some researchers are exploring the possibility that low levels of DHA observed in the elderly may contribute to or accompany the onset of age-related mental decline. More research is being conducted to further investigate these findings.


• Eye Health. DHA is a major structural fat in the retina of the eye, accounting for up to 50 percent of the total fatty acids in the retina. Because DHA is so prevalent in eye tissue, many researchers suspect that it plays an important role in visual development during infancy and childhood. DHA is also being studied for its possible impact on adult eye health.


• Heart Health. DHA has been shown to help promote heart health. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has reviewed the available data regarding the relationship between DHA and EPA and cardiovascular disease and has authorized the use of the following claim: "Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease."


• Perinatal Health. The body of research supporting the importance of DHA for pregnant and nursing women and their infants continues to grow. DHA is considered important throughout pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester when significant brain growth occurs.