DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid made from another fatty acid called alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA is found predominantly in flaxseed oil (also known as linseed) and hemp seed oil. Green leafy vegetables, soybeans, walnuts, and canola oil have small amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial because they provide fluidity to cell membranes and improve communication between brain cells. Omega-3s also reduce the clotting ability of platelets, thus potentially decreasing the incidence of heart attacks and strokes. Two very important omega-3 fatty acids are eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA). They are found in seafood, especially mackerel, salmon, striped bass, rainbow trout, halibut, tuna, and sardines. Supplements of fish oils that contain EPA and DHA are sold over the counter. DHA is also sold by itself, usually from an algae source. In the body, DHA is found mostly in the brain, retina, and in sperm. DHA plays an important role in vision.

DHA Neuromins, 100 mg
Source Naturals

DHA Neuromins is derived from algae, not fish, hence it is a vegetarian source. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid which plays a significant role in cerebral development, especially during the crucial period of fetal development and infancy. Pregnant mothers transfer DHA directly to the fetus to support rapid brain and retina development. DHA is supplied to the newborn via mother's breast milk. Some people have lower concentrations of DHA due to low-fat or vegetarian diets. Supplementation with DHA can help assure adequate amounts to support normal development of the brain and retina.

DHA Supplement Facts:
DHA - 100 mg*
   Docosahexaenoic Acid (from algal oil)
Suggested Use: 1 to 3 DHA softgels daily.
* DHA daily value not established.

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Mind Power Rx - Formulated by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

Mind Power Rx is a sophisticated cognitive formula. It combines a delicate balance of brain circulation agents and neurotransmitter precursors with powerful natural brain chemicals that support:
• Memory
• Mental clarity
• Concentration 
• Alertness & Focus


The herbs in Mind Power Rx include: Ashwagandha, Bacopa, Fo-Ti, Ginkgo biloba,  Ginseng, Gotu kola, Mucuna pruriens, Reishi, and Rhodiola.  The nutrients and vitamins in Mind Power Rx include Acetyl-l-carnitine, Carnitine, Carnosine, Choline, DMAE, Inositol, Methylcobalamin, Pantothenic acid, Trimethylglycine, Tyrosine, and Vinpocetine.

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DHA Benefits
The main marine omega 3 fatty acids are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). It is of interest that DHA is specifically localised in the retina and the brain in humans and other mammals. The longer chain omega 3 fatty acids are rapidly incorporated into cell membrane phospholipids where it is regarded they influence the metabolism/metabolic events within the cells. The mechanisms by which these changes occur include alteration in the fluidity of membranes such that there are subtle changes in receptor function, alteration in cell signalling mechanisms, membrane-bound enzymes, regulation of the synthesis of eicosanoids, and regulation of gene expression.
   Fish and fish oils may be beneficial in reducing the risk for heart disease, heart arrhythmias, mental decline, and may also help reduce symptoms of arthritis and several autoimmune conditions. Eating fish and perhaps taking fish oil supplements may also help reduce the risk for macular degeneration. Fish oils are found in sperm, and these oils may support healthy sexual organ function.
   Dr. Malcolm Peet of the Swallownest Court Hospital in Sheffield, England and his colleague found that depressed patients who received a daily dose of 1 gram of an omega-3 fatty acid for 12 weeks experienced a decrease in their symptoms, such as sadness, anxiety and sleeping problems.

DHA and eczema
Docosahexaenoic acid DHA supplementation in atopic eczema: a randomized, double-blind, controlled trial.
Br J Dermatol. 2008 Jan 30. Allergy-Center-Charité, Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
The aim of the pilot study was to determine the efficacy of DHA supplements in patients with atopic eczema. Fifty-three patients suffering from atopic eczema aged 18-40 years were recruited into this randomized, double-blind, controlled trial and received either DHA 5.4 g daily or an isoenergetic control of saturated fatty acids for 8 weeks. DHA, but not the control treatment, resulted in a significant clinical improvement of atopic eczema. The DHA group showed an increase of plasma n-3 PUFA and a decrease in the n-6/n-3 PUFA ratio. Our data suggest that dietary DHA could be bioactive and might have a beneficial impact on the outcome of atopic eczema, but our results need to be confirmed in a larger study.

DHA Supplement for a Vegetarian Diet
Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in vegetarians effectively increases omega-3 index: a randomized trial.
Lipids. 2005 Aug;40(8):807-14. Division of Metabolic Diseases and Nutrition, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich, Munich, Germany.
Low red blood cell (RBC) membrane content of EPA + DHA (hereafter called omega-3 index) has recently been described as an indicator for increased risk of death from coronary heart disease. The relationship between plasma and RBC fatty acids, focusing on omega-3 index, and the response to DHA supplementation were investigated in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, intervention study. Healthy vegetarians consumed daily a microalgae oil from Ulkenia sp. (0.94 g DHA  per day) or olive oil (placebo) for 8 wk. DHA supplementation significantly increased DHA in RBC total lipids and in plasma phospholipids whereas EPA levels rose to a much lesser extent. Microalgae oil supplementation increased the omega-3 index from 4.8 to 8.4 wt%. After intervention, 69% of DHA-supplemented subjects (but no subject of the placebo group) reached an omega-3 index above the desirable value of 8 wt%. We conclude that an 8-wk supplementation with 0.94 g DHA/d from microalgae oil achieves a beneficial omega-3 index of > or =8% in most vegetarian diet subjects with low basal EPA + DHA status.

DHA - Seeing is Believing
The rods and cones of the retina in the eyes are very rich in DHA. Hence, a deficiency in dietary fish oils will reduce the photoreceptor activity of retinal cells, and may reduce visual acuity. On the other hand, supplementation with fish oils (or flaxseed oil) could lead to visual improvement with enhanced color perception.
   Since levels of DHA in the brain decline with age, it is likely that the levels of DHA also decline in the retina. Is it possible that daily intake of fish oils can improve vision in older individuals? Hopefully future research can give us some answers.

Reduce the risk of sudden death with omega-3s
An editorial in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that increasing dietary omega-3 fatty acids, which come from fatty fish or flaxseed oil, and decreasing omega-6 fatty acids, found in plant seed oils such as corn, safflower, and sunflower, is a way to reduce the risk of sudden death from irregular heart rhythms or heart attacks.
   One cause of sudden death is ventricular fibrillation, in which the heart contracts in a fast and chaotic rhythm that makes it unable to pump blood to the rest of the body. A number of factors including cigarette use, fasting, diabetes, hyperthyroidism or heart attack can trigger the release of fatty acids from adipose tissue.
   Fats that we eat are stored in adipose (fat) tissue. When these fats are released from their storage sites, they become free fatty acids. But not all fatty acids are equal in their propensity to cause arrhythmias. High levels of omega-6 fatty acids may encourage arrhythmias if their levels aren’t balanced by omega-3 fatty acids.
  Comments: a year ago the American Heart Association revised its dietary recommendations to include advice to eat two meals of fatty fish – such as salmon or halibut – per week. I recommend those who don’t eat fish to take 3 to 5 fish oil capsules or a teaspoon of flaxseed oil per day and to try reducing their intake of omega-6 oils.

Fish and Fish Oils Could Help Your Eyesight
Do the types of fats and oils we consume have an influence on how well we see as we age? An epidemiological research study completed recently in Australia and published in Archives of Ophthalmology indicates that the incidence of age related macular degeneration (ARMD) is reduced in those who consume fish.
    ARMD is the leading cause of severe vision loss in people over age 50 and this eye disease is currently incurable. In this condition, central vision is lost, but peripheral vision almost always remains intact. Today an estimated 12 million Americans have some form of the disease.
    The retina lies in the back of the eye and is composed of cells called rods and cones. The retina gathers light and visual information from the outside world. This information is then transmitted through a special nerve bundle, called the optic tract, to an area in the back of the brain called the visual cortex. The visual cortex, in turn, interprets this information.
    The macula is the special central area in the retina used for fine focus such as reading, driving, watching television, and recognizing people. There is a gradual loss of visual acuity as the macula degenerates with age, eventually leading to blindness.
    The study, done by researchers at the Australian National University, evaluated 3654 individuals aged 49 and over. The participants completed a detailed food questionnaire and had photographs taken of their macula. A higher frequency of fish consumption was associated with a decreased incidence of ARMD. It was also found that those with very high levels of cholesterol intake were more likely to have ARMD.
    Why would eating fish be beneficial to the macula? The answer is not fully understood. Ray Sahelian, M.D., author of Mind Boosters: A Guide to Natural Supplements That Enhance Your Mind, Memory, and Mood (St. Martin's Press, 2000, $13.95), says, "We do know that the retina is chock full of omeg-3 fatty acids, particularly those found in fish oils. These omega-3 fatty acids are known as EPA (eicosapentanoic acid) and DHA (docosahexanoic acid). Those who eat little fish or whose dietary intake is deficient in omega-3 oils may, over time, develop a shortage of these fatty acids in their macula." He adds, "I often recommend fish oil supplements to individuals whose fish intake is very low. Clinically, I have noticed that fish oil supplements improve focus, color perception and clarity of vision." Dr. Sahelian also recommends his patients consume adequate amount of fruits and vegetables that contain carotenoids and flavonoids, nutrients with antioxidant properties.
Reference: Smith W, Mitchell P, Leeder SR. Dietary fat and fish intake and age-related maculopathy. Arch Ophthalmol 2000 Mar;118(3):401-4; National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Australian Capital Territory.
    
Infants, DHA, and Myopia
Children who are breastfed are about fifty percent less likely to be nearsighted. Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA, a substance found in breast milk, could be the main element that improves early visual development in babies, resulting in more ordered eyeball growth which then reduces the development or severity of nearsightedness. Nearsightedness is the most common eye problem. It affects as much as 40 percent of the population in the United States and Europe but between 70 and 90 percent of some Asian populations such as Singapore, Japan and Hong Kong. DHA is important for the development of photoreceptor cells in the retina, which play a major role in whether children become develop nearsightedness. Researchers studied 797 children aged between 10 to 12 years in Singapore as part of the survey. They were given medical tests and also had to answer a series of questions including the number of books they read per week. The study, led by the Singapore Eye Research Institute, found that the risk of nearsightedness in a child who was breastfed is 0.6 times that of child that was not, even after taking other factors into account. While genetic variation was seen to be the culprit of nearsightedness among children, soaring rates of the condition have led more researchers to believe it is the rise in watching television, playing computers games and reading that is to blame.

DHA Research Update
Effects of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation on blood lipids, estrogen metabolism, and in vivo oxidative stress in postmenopausal vegetarian women.
Eur J Clin Nutr. 2005 Nov 9
Vegetarians are generally deficient in long-chain n-3 fatty acids. Long-chain n-3 fatty acids have a beneficial effect on plasma lipid levels, and some studies showed that they had breast cancer suppression effect. To investigate the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) supplementation on blood lipids, estrogen metabolism and oxidative stress in vegetarians. Design: Single-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Twenty-seven postmenopausal vegetarian women were recruited. After a 2-week run-in period with 6 g placebo corn oil, the subjects were subsequently randomized to receive either 6 g corn oil (n=13) or 6 g DHA-rich algae oil (2.14 g of DHA /day) (n=14) for 6 weeks. Two subjects in corn oil group withdrew before completion. Conclusion: DHA supplementation at a dose of 2.14 g/day for 42 days decreases plasma cholesterol but neither does it show beneficial effects on estrogen metabolism, nor does it induce deleterious effects on the observed in vivo antioxidant or oxidative stress marker in postmenopausal vegetarian women.

Consuming a diet rich in the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexanoic acid (DHA) may help prevent or treat Alzheimer's disease. In the study, which is reported in The Journal of Neuroscience, mice that ate DHA-enriched chow showed less beta-amyloid build-up in the brain than mice fed regular chow. Beta-amyloid is a protein that forms the characteristic brain plaques seen in patients with Alzheimer's disease." These results suggest that dietary DHA could be protective against beta-amyloid production, accumulation, and potential downstream toxicity," senior author Dr. Greg M. Cole, from the University of California at Los Angeles, and colleagues note. Research has linked high levels of DHA in the diet with a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease. Still, the studies have shown an association, but don't prove that eating a diet high in DHA actually reduces amyloid levels and prevents Alzheimer's disease. To show this, animal studies are often needed. Cole's team used a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease and fed the animals low- or high-DHA chow or regular chow. The animals were fed the assigned diet until 22.5 months of age, at which point brain tissue was obtained and tested for amyloid build-up. The high-DHA diet reduced total amyloid level by 70 percent compared with the other diets, the investigators report. Moreover, brain plaques were reduced by 40.3 percent.

Docosahexaenoic acid concentrations are higher in women than in men because of estrogenic effects1,2,3
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 80, No. 5, 1167-1174, November 2004
During pregnancy there is a high demand for docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ), which is needed for formation of the fetal brain. Women who do not consume marine foods must synthesize DHA from fatty acid precursors in vegetable foods. We studied sex differences in DHA status and the role of sex hormones. First, DHA status was compared between 72 male and 103 female healthy volunteers who ate the same rigidly controlled diets. Second, the effects of sex hormones were studied in 56 male-to-female transsexual subjects, who were treated with cyproterone acetate alone or randomly assigned to receive oral ethinyl estradiol or transdermal 17ß-estradiol combined with cyproterone acetate, and in 61 female-to-male transsexual subjects, who were treated with testosterone esters or randomly assigned for treatment with the aromatase inhibitor anastrozole or placebo in addition to the testosterone regimen. Results: The proportion of DHA was 15 ± 4% ( ± SEM) higher in the women than in the men. Among the women, those taking oral contraceptives had 10 ± 4% higher DHA concentrations than did those not taking oral contraceptives. Administration of oral ethinyl estradiol, but not transdermal 17ß-estradiol, increased DHA by 42, whereas the antiandrogen cyproterone acetate did not affect DHA. Parenteral testosterone decreased DHA by 22 in female-to-male transsexual subjects. Anastrozole decreased estradiol concentrations significantly and DHA concentrations nonsignificantly. Conclusion: Estrogens cause higher DHA concentrations in women than in men, probably by upregulating synthesis of DHA from vegetable precursors.

Omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils and cardiovascular disease.
Mol Cell Biochem. 2004 Aug;263(1-2):217-25.
Fish and fish oils contain the omega-3 fatty acids known as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) plus docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA ). Epidemiological studies have shown an inverse relation between the dietary consumption of fish containing EPA / DHA and mortality from coronary heart disease. These relationships have been substantiated from blood measures of omega-3 fatty acids including DHA as a physiological biomarker for omega-3 fatty acid status. Controlled intervention trials with fish oil supplements enriched in EPA / DHA have shown their potential to reduce mortality in post-myocardial infarction patients with a substantial reduction in the risk of sudden cardiac death. The cardioprotective effects of EPA / DHA are widespread, appear to act independently of blood cholesterol reduction, and are mediated by diverse mechanisms. Their overall effects include anti-arrhythmic, blood triglyceride-lowering, anti-thrombotic, anti-inflammatory, endothelial relaxation, plus others. Current dietary intakes of EPA / DHA from fish oils in North America and elsewhere are well below those recommended by the American Heart Association for the management of patients with coronary heart disease.

Docosahexaenoic acid promotes neurite growth in hippocampal neurons.
J Neurochem. 2004 Aug;90(4):979-88.
Docosahexanoic acid (22:6n-3; DHA) deficiency during development is associated with impairment in learning and memory, suggesting an important role of DHA in neuronal development. Here we provide evidence that DHA promotes neuronal differentiation in rat embryonic hippocampal primary cultures. DHA deficiency in vitro was spontaneously induced by culturing hippocampal cells in chemically defined medium. DHA supplementation improved DHA levels to values observed in freshly isolated hippocampus. We found that DHA supplementation in culture increased the population of neurons with longer neurite length per neuron and with higher number of branches. However, supplementation with arachidonic, oleic or docosapentaenoic acid did not have any effect, indicating specificity of the DHA action on neurite growth. Furthermore, hippocampal cultures obtained from n-3 fatty acid deficient animals contained a lower DHA level and a neuronal population with shorter neurite length per neuron in comparison to those obtained from animals with adequate n-3 fatty acids. DHA supplementation to the deficient group recovered the neurite length to the level similar to n-3 fatty acid adequate cultures. Our data demonstrates that DHA uniquely promotes neurite growth in hippocampal neurons. Inadequate neurite development due to DHA deficiency may contribute to the cognitive impairment associated with n-3 fatty acid deficiency.

Effect of fish and fish oil-derived omega-3 fatty acids on lipid oxidation.
Redox Rep. 2004;9(4):193-7.
There is evidence that omega-3 (omega3) fatty acids derived from fish and fish oils reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease via mechanisms underlying atherosclerosis, thrombosis and inflammation. Despite these benefits, there has been concern that these fatty acids may increase lipid peroxidation. However, the in vivo data to date are inconclusive, due in part to limitations in the methodologies. In this regard, our findings using the measurement of F(2)-isoprostanes, a reliable measure of in vivo lipid peroxidation and oxidant stress, do not support adverse effects of omega3 fatty acids on lipid peroxidation.

Docosahexaenoic acid protects from dendritic pathology in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model.
Neuron. 2004 Sep 2;43(5):633-45.
Learning and memory depend on dendritic spine actin assembly and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an essential n-3 (omega-3) polyunsaturated fatty acid (PFA). High DHA consumption is associated with reduced Alzheimer's disease risk, yet mechanisms and therapeutic potential remain elusive. Here, we report that reduction of dietary n-3 PFA in an Alzheimer's disease mouse model resulted in 80%-90% losses of the p85alpha subunit of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and the postsynaptic actin-regulating protein drebrin, as in Alzheimer's disease brain. The loss of postsynaptic proteins was associated with increased oxidation, without concomitant neuron or presynaptic protein loss. n-3 PFA depletion increased caspase-cleaved actin, which was localized in dendrites ultrastructurally. Treatment of n-3 PFA-restricted mice with DHA protected against these effects and behavioral deficits and increased antiapoptotic BAD phosphorylation. Since n-3 PFAs are essential for p85-mediated CNS insulin signaling and selective protection of postsynaptic proteins, these findings have implications for neurodegenerative diseases where synaptic loss is critical, especially Alzheimer's disease.

Maturation of visual acuity is accelerated in breast-fed term infants fed baby food containing DHA-enriched egg yolk.
 J Nutr. 2004 Sep;134(9):2307-13.
Between 6 and 12 mo of age, blood levels of the (n-3) long-chain PUFA, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in breast-fed infants typically decrease due to diminished maternal DHA stores and the introduction of DHA-poor solid foods displacing human milk as the primary source of nutrition. Thus, we utilized a randomized, clinical trial format to evaluate the effect of supplemental DHA in solid foods on visual development of breast-fed infants with the primary outcome, sweep visual-evoked potential (VEP) acuity, as an index for maturation of the retina and visual cortex. At 6 mo of age, breast-fed infants were randomly assigned to receive 1 jar (113 g)/d of baby food containing egg yolk enriched with DHA (115 mg DHA/100 g food; n = 25) or control baby food (0 mg DHA; n = 26). Gravimetric measures were used to estimate the supplemental DHA intake which was 83 mg DHA/d in the supplemented group and 0 mg/d in controls. Although many infants in both groups continued to breast-feed for a mean of 9 mo, RBC DHA levels decreased significantly between 6 and 12 mo (from 3.8 to 3.0 g/100 g total fatty acids) in control infants, whereas RBC DHA levels increased by 34% from 4.1 to 5.5 g/100 g by 12 mo in supplemented infants. VEP acuity at 6 mo was 0.49 logMAR (minimum angle of resolution) and improved to 0.29 logMAR by 12 mo in controls. In DHA-supplemented infants, VEP acuity was 0.48 logMAR at 6 mo and matured to 0.14 logMAR at 12 mo (1.5 lines on the eye chart better than controls). At 12 mo, the difference corresponded to 1.5 lines on the eye chart. RBC DHA levels and VEP acuity at 12 mo were correlated, supporting the need of an adequate dietary supply of DHA throughout 1 y of life for neural development.

The fatty acids found in fish may slightly lower a man's risk of prostate cancer, but another type of fatty acid found in a range of foods may raise the risk, a large study suggests. Researchers found that among nearly 48,000 U.S. men followed for 14 years, those with the highest intakes of two fatty acids found in oily fish were 26 percent less likely than men with the lowest intakes to develop advanced prostate cancer. The opposite was true, however, when it came to alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA. Like the two fish-oil fats, ALA is an omega-3 unsaturated fatty acid that is thought to promote heart health; it is found in vegetable sources such as soybeans, canola oil, walnuts and flaxseed, and to a lesser extent in meat and dairy products. In this study, men with the highest intake of ALA were about twice as likely as those with the lowest intakes to develop advanced prostate cancer. And the risk was increased regardless of whether the ALA came from vegetable or animal sources, according to findings published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

The July/August 2004 edition of the journal Child Development reports a study found that infants whose mothers' had higher blood levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) at birth showed more mature forms of attention during their first two years of development. These findings add to the evidence that DHA is an important factor in early development and that women who are pregnant, or intend to become pregnant, should consider supplementing their diets with DHA or fish oils. DHA supports an infant's brain and eye development. Reported studies have consistently shown that women's diets in the U.S. have one of the lowest levels of DHA in the world. Clinical studies have demonstrated that women who supplement their diets with DHA during pregnancy experience elevated DHA levels in their blood.

People who ate an average of 180 mg or more a day of DHA had about 40% less Alzheimer's disease and other dementia, compared with people who consumed less DHA, according to epidemiologic data collected in the Framingham Heart Study.

Fish oil interaction with warfarin.
Buckley MS, Goff AD,Shawnee Mission, KS of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724
Ann Pharmacother. 2004 Jan;38(1):50-2.
OBJECTIVE: To report a case of elevated international normalized ratio (INR) in a patient taking fish oil and warfarin. CASE SUMMARY: A 67-year-old white woman had been taking warfarin for 1(1/2) years due to recurrent transient ischemic attacks. Her medical history included hypothyroidism, hyperlipidemia, osteopenia, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. She also experienced an inferior myocardial infarction in 1995 requiring angioplasty, surgical repair of her femoral artery in 1995, and hernia repair in 1996. This patient has her INR checked in the anticoagulation clinic and is followed monthly by the clinical pharmacist. Prior to the interaction, her INR was therapeutic for 5 months while she was taking warfarin 1.5 mg/d. The patient admitted to doubling her fish oil dose from 1000 to 2000 mg/d. Without dietary, lifestyle, or medication changes, the INR increased from 2.8 to 4.3 within 1 month. The INR decreased to 1.6 one week after subsequent fish oil reduction, necessitating a return to the original warfarin dosing regimen. DISCUSSION: Fish oil supplementation could have provided additional anticoagulation with warfarin therapy. Fish oil, an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, consists of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid. This fatty acid may affect platelet aggregation and/or vitamin K-dependent coagulation factors. Omega-3 fatty acids may lower thromboxane A(2) supplies within the platelet as well as decrease factor VII levels. Although controversial, this case report illustrates that fish oil can provide additive anticoagulant effects when given with warfarin. CONCLUSIONS: This case reveals a significant rise in INR after the dose of concomitant fish oil was doubled. Patients undergoing anticoagulation therapy with warfarin should be educated about and monitored for possible drug-herb interactions. Pharmacists can play a crucial role in identifying possible drug interactions by asking patients taking warfarin about herbal and other alternative medicine product use.

Smart Eating for a Smarter Baby
The brain is largely made of fat, and the types of fat we consume can have an influence on how well our brain functions. Most studies show that fish oils (DHA and EPA) are essential to optimal brain function. But does maternal diet influence brain development of the child? There is a growth spurt in the human brain during the last trimester of pregnancy and the first postnatal months, with a large increase in the cerebral content of DHA. The fetus and the newborn infant depend on maternal supply of DHA. Sometimes maternal intake of DHA during pregnancy and lactation is marginal. Researchers at the University of Oslo in Norway examined the effect of supplementing pregnant and lactating women with cod liver oil on mental development of the children, compared with maternal supplementation with corn oil. The study was randomized and double-blinded. A total of 590 pregnant women were recruited in week 18 of pregnancy to take daily 10 mL of cod liver oil or corn oil until 3 months after delivery. The cod liver oil contains DHA and EPA. The corn oil contains linoleic acid and alpha-linolenic acid. All infants of these women were scheduled for assessment of cognitive function at 6 and 9 months of age. As part of the protocol, 135 subjects from this population were invited for intelligence testing with the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC) at 4 years of age. The K-ABC is a measure of intelligence and achievement designed for children aged 2.5 years through 12.5 years. Children who were born to mothers who had taken cod liver oil during pregnancy and lactation scored higher on the Mental Processing Composite of the K-ABC at 4 years of age as compared with children whose mothers had taken corn oil. Dr. Sahelian says: Women who are pregnant may consider eating more fish, taking cod liver oil or fish oil supplements in consultation with their obstetrician.

Fish oil supplements contain no mercury
ConsumerLab.com, an independent evaluator of dietary supplements and nutrition products, released results of its product review of Omega-3 Fatty Acids (EPA & DHA) from fish oils.  EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are fatty acids that have been shown to help reduce cardiovascular disease, reduce the pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis, as well as showing promise in the treatment of a number of other conditions. A concern with fish oil products has been potential contamination with mercury. ConsumerLab.com purchased 20 dietary supplements containing EPA and/or DHA and tested them for their claimed levels of these ingredients as stated on the label, as well as for mercury contamination and evidence of decomposition. Although six of the products had lower levels of EPA/DHA as stated on the label, none of the twenty products showed evidence of decomposition and none were found to contain detectable levels of mercury.

DHA Emails
Q. I've been taking fish oil supplements with DHA for a few weeks now and I notice visual clarity and more pronounced colors like you said in your Mind Boosters book.

Q. I have bipolar disorder. I have tried fish oil and found it useful.

Q. Do I need to take more vitamin E if I'm supplementing with DHA?
   A. Most likely yes, but only small amounts are needed. Since DHA is highly unsaturated, it would seem cautious to supplement with at least 5 to 10 units of vitamin E a day if you're taking a gram or more of an epa / dha combination.

Q. I am 24 years old and have just recently started wearing glasses because I can't see far. You mention [in the Mind Boosters book] that fish oil supplements can improve focus, color perception and clarity of vision. Is DHA or fish oil use recommended to individuals 50 years and older or do you think I would benefit by adding fish oil supplements to my diet?
     A. If your diet lacks adequate amounts of omega-3 oils, and you don't eat enough fish, it is possible that DHA or fish oil capsules could  help with your vision, although do not expect dramatic results at your age. The best way to find out if it works for you is to try the fish oils for a period of a month and observe any improvements. Eating more cold water fish is recommended.

Q. Let me compliment you very highly on Mind Boosters. It has been wonderful to read & implement your research. I realized after reading it that I didn't eat any fish. After taking 3 fish oil capsules per day (1000mg) for two weeks I have found my blood pressure is reduced from 140/90 to 125/80. I take this myself and have very structured measurements, due to having worked with many different blood pressure meds (and unwanted side effects) over the years. Have you seen this effect elsewhere? If this is long term I am VERY happy. Live long & prosper.
     A. I am surprised that a small dose of fish oils within two weeks could have made such a difference in your blood pressure. I usually don't see such a dramatic response in my patients.

Q. I have been looking into using EPA and DHA, but am looking for a purely vegetarian source. I have found vegetarian DHA supplements are much more available than EPA supplements. I see in fact that there is a vegetarian DHA supplement ( DHA Neuromins ), but not a EPA supplement. Is the DHA supplement sufficient, without another supplemental or major dietary source of EPA?
     A. We feel using both EPA and DHA is preferable than just using DHA by itself, although there may be people who do just fine using DHA by itself.

Q. For mood stabilization, I have been told by my daughter's psychiatrist the Omega 3 oils must contain approximately a 7:1 ratio of EPA to DHA. Other ratios may just help joints and heart health. What are your findings on this?
   A. There is no good research that specifies what the exact ratios should be for mood stabilization or depression treatment. Rather than focusing on exact ratios, one should just increase their overall intake of fish and fish oils and reduce sugar and junk food consumption.