Opti-DHA - Supporting Brain, Visual, and Cardiovascular Health

Opti-DHA from Douglas Laboratories presents a novel ratio of essential omega-3 fatty acids, in enteric-coated softgels, to support brain and visual development, as well as cardiovascular health.

Derived from marine lipid concentrate, Opti-DHA is processed by molecular distillation to provide 450 mg of docosahexeanoic acid (DHA) and 150 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) per serving, or two softgels.

EPA plays a role in the production of problematic prostaglandins, or compounds derived from fatty acids that have important bodily functions, including regulating the contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle tissue.

Brain and Visual Development

DHA is of primary importance for the structural integrity of neuronal membranes. Neurons are the core components of the nervous system, which includes the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral ganglia, or cells found in the peripheral nervous system and outside the brain and spine.

DHA is essential for brain and visual development and is critical throughout pregnancy to support fetal brain growth and formation of the retina and visual cortex.

As the most abundant fatty acid in the brain, adequate amounts of DHA are needed throughout infancy and adulthood for ongoing optimal function.

Low levels of DHA may adversely affect behavior and mental performance and have been associated with changes in disposition, memory loss, and visual and other neurological conditions.

Cardiovascular Health

DHA, along with EPA, may also play an important role in cardiovascular health.

One landmark piece of research in this area, the GISSI-Prevenzione Trial, involved over 11,000 people who had already survived myocardial infarction.

This was the first large scale trial that showed supplementation of essential fatty acids may lower the risk of death.

The exact reasons for such dramatic possible benefits with respect to heart disease remains unknown but may be related in part to the ability of fish oil to reduce support the body's normal processes and cardiac health.

Being enteric-coated, Opti-DHA softgels significantly reduce the fishy taste sometimes associated with marine lipid supplements.