DHA: Are you Getting Enough?

Tori Schmitt, MS, RDN, LD

.

Published on

29 August 2016

Share

From grabbing breakfast on the go to prepping dinner, you likely know the importance of choosing nutrient-dense foods for optimal wellbeing. You probably strive to choose vegetables as often as you can, limit how much sugar you are eating, and select respectful portion sizes. High five to you for that! Through reading about nutrition in the news, you’ve also probably heard that omega-3s are good for you… and that’s right! But are you getting enough omega-3s, and in particular, are you getting enough of an important omega-3 called DHA?

Omega-3s are termed “essential,” which means that you must get them from the foods you eat. However, it is widely agreed that many Americans simply do not get enough omega-3s in their diet. DHA is imperative for brain, eye, and heart health and may even play a role in supporting memory and cognition!

So if you’re like many Americans, you may not be getting enough DHA. Why? Well, the reason may lie with the food choices you are (or rather, aren’t!) eating. The most well known source of DHA is fatty fish because of the foods they eat in their food chain. Their food chain includes microalgae – natural, rich sources of DHA. And not too many people are eating microalgae at this time! So, if you don’t regularly eat fatty fish like wild salmon, herring, mackerel and sardines, that may be why you’re not getting enough DHA.

At the same time, many people may rely upon flax or flaxseed oil as a source of DHA; however, contrary to popular belief, you cannot find DHA in flaxseed oil. Flaxseed oil contains ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), which is converted into DHA in the body – but that conversion happens at a very, very limited rate.

At this point you may be wondering, “wait a minute, how much DHA am I actually getting?” You can take the quiz here to find out or simply think about how often you consume the foods listed in this blog.

Then think about the sources of DHA and which foods you can add to your eating routine regularly so that you can be sure you’re getting enough. Perhaps you’ll make wild salmon for dinner one night a week or sauté sardines with mixed greens for a light lunch. Maybe you’ll swap your regular milk for organic milk fortified with life’sDHA. Or possibly, you’ll find a recipe you love for broiled or grilled Alaskan mackerel.

If you’re a vegetarian or choose mostly plant foods, your richest source of DHA may be fortified food or quality algal DHA supplementation. What’s great about life’sDHA, which is found in fortified foods, beverages, and in supplements, is that it’s a vegetarian, sustainable source since it comes directly from the microalgae itself!

So, are you getting enough DHA? If so, excellent! If not, what are your plans for getting a healthier amount? Tweet me to let me know @ToriHolthaus! 

 

Read more about our expert Tori Schmitt, MS, RDN, LD

Recent Posts

  • 3 Truths About Blue Light and Eye Health

    3 Truths About Blue Light and Eye Health

    What do blue light, the sun, and your diet including DHA have in common? Your eyes. That's right! Blue light, the sun, and healthy fats all influence the health of your eyes. Learn three truths about blue light and eye health. Read More

  • Video: How This Memory Champion Trains His Brain

    Video: How This Memory Champion Trains His Brain

    Nelson Dellis, 4-time USA Memory Champion and adventure sport athlete, shares what a typical day looks like for this athlete. Nutrition is an important part of his daily routine and his training program. Brain Armor with life’sOMEGA vegetarian DHA and EPA omega-3s help to support his journey. Read More

  • 4 Key Nutrients for a Healthy Vegetarian Pregnancy

    4 Key Nutrients for a Healthy Vegetarian Pregnancy

    A nutritious diet is essential for every mother-to-be as nutritional deficiencies are common during pregnancy, but for the vegetarian mamma, it is even more important. Learn about four key nutrients for a healthy vegetarian pregnancy from award-winning dietitian Melanie McGrice, AdvAPD. Read More

  • Caring for Your Parents – Omega-3s for the Second Half of Life

    Caring for Your Parents – Omega-3s for the Second Half of Life

    Many mothers are caring for more people than just their children, they’re also caring for their parents who need to maintain healthy habits throughout the second half of their lives. If you’re a caregiver, read on to learn how an important nutrient – omega-3s – can help support your loved ones’ health. Read More

  • Unlocking the Lunchbox – Nutrition Made Fun

    Unlocking the Lunchbox – Nutrition Made Fun

    If you’re a parent, September can be hectic as summer winds down and the kids get ready to head back to school. Coming up with a roster of lunches that are healthy, taste good and – most importantly – are eaten is no small feat. Read on for tips from Abbie Gellman, registered dietitian and chef, on how to pack a nutritious lunchbox. Read More

This site uses cookies to store information on your computer.

Learn more