Docosahexaenoic Acid News and Research

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Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA is an omega-3 essential fatty acid. DHA is the most abundant essential fatty acid (polyunsaturated fatty acids, PUFAs) in the brain and retina.

Omthera reaches agreement with FDA on SPA for Epanova Phase III trial in patients with very high triglycerides

Omthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately-held emerging specialty pharmaceuticals company, today announced that it has reached an agreement with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on a Special Protocol Assessment (SPA) for the design of its planned Phase III registration clinical trial of Epanova™, the Company's lead compound for the treatment of patients with very high triglycerides. Epanova is an Omega 3 fatty acid containing a novel formulation of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).

22 Nov 2010

Media has misrepresented facts about Omega-3 DHA Alzheimer's study, says Ocean Nutrition Canada

Several media outlets published articles last week suggesting that Omega-3 fish oil supplements fail to show positive results for Alzheimer's patients. This reporting by media outlets came after the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) published the study "Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation and Cognitive Decline in Alzheimer Disease: A Randomized Trial", where researchers reported that "Supplementation with DHA compared with placebo did not slow the rate of cognitive and functional decline in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease."

11 Nov 2010

DHA protects brain tissue and promotes recovery in acute ischemic stroke

Research led by Dr. Nicolas Bazan, Boyd Professor, Villere Chair, and Director of the Neuroscience Center of Excellence at LSU Health Sciences Center, has shown that Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a component of fish oil, is a powerful therapeutic agent that can protect brain tissue and promote recovery in an experimental model of acute ischemic stroke, even when treatment is delayed by up to five hours.

9 Nov 2010

DHA improves memory function in older adults with mild cognitive impairments

A study published in the November edition of Alzheimer's & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association suggests that taking docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) may improve memory and learning in older adults with mild cognitive impairments. This is promising news for many aging Americans who are searching for options to maintain memory and support overall cognitive health.

9 Nov 2010

Omthera initiates ECLIPSE study for treatment of high triglycerides

Omthera Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a privately-held emerging specialty pharmaceuticals company, today announced the initiation of a randomized, open-label, four-way cross-over pharmacokinetics study to evaluate the bioavailability of Epanova, Omthera's lead compound for the treatment of very high triglycerides, in comparison to Lovaza, the leading prescription Omega-3.

9 Nov 2010

Study finds DHA supplementation does not reduce risk of AD

Patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) who received supplementation with the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), believed to possibly reduce the risk of AD, did not experience a reduction in the rate of cognitive and functional decline, compared to patients who received placebo, according to a study in the November 3 issue of JAMA, a theme issue on aging.

3 Nov 2010

Dietary intake of PUFAs associated with decreased prevalence of periodontitis

Periodontitis, a common inflammatory disease in which gum tissue separates from teeth, leads to accumulation of bacteria and potential bone and tooth loss. Although traditional treatments concentrate on the bacterial infection, more recent strategies target the inflammatory response.

26 Oct 2010

CRN reinforces importance of DHA before, during and after pregnancy

In response to a study regarding fish oil use during pregnancy published in the October 19 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), the leading trade association for the dietary supplement industry, reminds pregnant and lactating women of the undisputed importance of consuming the recommended amounts of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) throughout pregnancy.

20 Oct 2010

Fish oil not as good for pregnant mums as thought: Study

According to a new Australian study, taking fish oil / docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplements during pregnancy does not appear to reduce the risk of postpartum depression of mothers or boost the language development and cognitive skills of their children.

19 Oct 2010

Research reveals new details about health benefits of fish-oil

Some of America's most popular fish salmon and albacore tuna, for example are rich in healthful natural compounds known as omega-3 fatty acids. Ongoing studies by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) chemist Darshan S. Kelley and co-investigators are helping uncover new details about how these fish-oil components help protect us from chronic diseases.

12 Oct 2010

Fish oil induces severe colitis and colon cancer in mice

Fish oil - long encouraged by doctors as a supplement to support heart and joint health, among other benefits - induced severe colitis and colon cancer in mice in research led by Michigan State University and published this month in the journal Cancer Research.

6 Oct 2010

Researchers discover low levels of DHA associated with chronic neurodegenerative disease

UC Irvine researchers have discovered that markedly depleted amounts of an omega-3 fatty acid in brain tissue samples from Alzheimer's patients may be due to the liver's inability to produce the complex fat, also contained in fish-oil supplements.Low levels of docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, have been associated with the chronic neurodegenerative disease affecting millions of Americans, but no cause had been identified.

9 Sep 2010

Discovery of omega-3 fatty acid molecular mechanism paves way for development of dietary remedy for diabetes

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have identified the molecular mechanism that makes omega-3 fatty acids so effective in reducing chronic inflammation and insulin resistance.

3 Sep 2010

Martek Biosciences 2010 third quarter revenue increases 51% to $117.2 million

Martek Biosciences Corporation today announced its financial results for the third quarter of fiscal 2010.

2 Sep 2010

Low doses of n-3 fatty acids do not reduce overall rate of major cardiovascular events

Results from the Alpha Omega Trial, a multicentre, placebo-controlled trial in men and women following myocardial infarction (MI), suggest that low doses of n-3 fatty acids given in the form of enriched margarines do not reduce the overall rate of major cardiovascular events.

30 Aug 2010

Omega-3 fatty acids consumption reduces age-related hearing loss: Research

Research continues to unveil potential benefits of omega-3 fatty acids found in seafood, pointing to healthful effects on the lungs in children, the uterus in women and hearing in older adults. The August 2010 PUFA Newsletter and Fats of Life e-newsletters for health professionals and consumers, respectively, report the latest findings about these and other topics.

12 Aug 2010

European marine and algae oil omega-3 ingredient market to grow at 10% CAGR to reach $525.6M in 2013

The flood of scientific evidence on omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid/docosahexaenoic acid (EPA/DHA) has significantly buoyed the credibility of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as vital functional ingredients. Heightened consumer awareness has had a telling effect on the healthy growth charts of the marine and algae oil omega-3 ingredients market.

20 Jul 2010

Martek extends sole-source supply agreement with Mead Johnson for DHA and ARA for infant formula products

Martek Biosciences Corporation announced today that it has extended its sole-source supply agreement with Mead Johnson & Company, LLC, for DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and ARA (arachidonic acid) for infant formula products. Under the terms of the amendment, Martek will remain Mead Johnson's global sole-source supplier of DHA and ARA for all of its infant formula products through December 31, 2015, an extension of four years beyond the earliest possible termination date of the current agreement.

21 Jun 2010

Lithium reduces brain inflammation by adjusting metabolism of DHA: Researchers

Though it has been prescribed for over 50 years to treat bipolar disorder, there are still many questions regarding exactly how lithium works. However, in a study appearing in this month's Journal of Lipid Research, researchers have provided solid evidence that lithium reduces brain inflammation by adjusting the metabolism of the health-protective omega-3-fatty acid called DHA.

24 May 2010

Most breastfeeding mothers do not follow proper diet, study reveals

The study conducted at the University of Granada revealed that 94% of nursing mothers did not follow a proper diet, as they did not consume the recommended diary intake of fat, vitamins A, E and iron, and the intake of proteins was too high. The results obtained will serve to enhance breastfeeding mothers' diet and increase nutritional supply to the newborn.

12 May 2010