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Docosahexaenoic acid

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid. In chemical structure, DHA is a carboxylic acid with a 22-carbon chain and six cis double bonds; the first double bond is located at the third carbon from the omega end. Its trivial name is cervonic acid, its systematic name is all-cis-docosa-4,7,10,13,16,19-hexa-enoic acid, and its shorthand name is 22:6(n-3) in the nomenclature of fatty acids. Fish oils are rich in DHA. Most of the DHA in fish and more complex organisms originates in photosynthetic and heterotrophic microalgae, and becomes increasingly concentrated in organisms as it moves up the food chain. DHA is also commercially manufactured from microalgae; Crypthecodinium cohnii and another of the genus Schizochytrium. DHA manufactured using microalgae is vegetarian. Most animals make very little DHA through metabolism; however small amounts are manufactured internally through the consumption of α-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid found in plants, animals, and milk. DHA is metabolized to form the docosanoids, which comprise several families of potent hormones. DHA is a major fatty acid in sperm and brain phospholipids, particularly in the retina. Dietary DHA may reduce the risk of heart disease by reducing the level of blood triglycerides in humans. Low levels of DHA have been associated with Alzheimer's disease.

DHA was found to inhibit growth of human colon carcinoma cells, more than other omega-3 PUFAs. The cytotoxic effect of DHA wasn't caused by increased lipid peroxidation or any other oxidative damage, but rather decrease in cell growth regulators. However, different cancer lines handle PUFAs differently and display different sensitivities towards them. Such preliminary findings point to the need for further research and are not proof that DHA does or does not provide any benefit for intended treatment, cure, or mitigation of cancer. However, in 2008, DHA was shown to increase the efficacy of chemotherapy in prostate cancer cells,  and in 2009, a chemoprotective effect in a mouse model was reported. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docosahexaenoic_acid.  

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