Ask The Pharmacist: DHA - How one fat supplement helps you head to toe

Fat gets a bad rap! The word “fat” is associated with negative things, but the only real toxic fat is the “visceral” fat that surrounds and strangles your precious organs. It’s that kind of fat that is dangerous.

From now on, I want you to think of certain fats as a good thing and as life-sustaining. The best organs in your body are made of fats like your heart, your brain, pancreas, liver, and your omentum (which is the fat that insulates your intestines). By the way, your omentum surrounding your gut contains all kinds of neurotransmitters, similar to those in your brain. That’s part of the reason why people who take benzodiazepines and opiate pain killers have so many problems that related to their digestion.

Anyway, the fat-based supplements I’m referring to today are fish oils, and more specifically DHA, a part of fish oils. If you read the back of your label, you’ll see DHA listed on your fish oil supplement, but it’s usually in a smaller amount to the EPA.

I love fish oil supplements -- both constituents EPA and DHA. DHA in particular is food for your brain. DHA is something you got from mom through breast milk. This is something that breastfed babies get from nursing, and it gives them a great head start.

If you didn’t get DHA through breast feeding as an infant, it’s okay to start now. Better late than never because DHA is brain food, literally. Your brain’s cerebral cortex is composed of 20 percent fatty acids. Important research on DHA has shown it supports structural integrity of your central nervous system which then supports a healthy mood and emotional well-being.

Do you feel like you used to be smarter? DHA helps maintain cellular fluidity, which supports our memory and thinking patterns. Might help you keep track of your cell phone a little better.

DHA is a fat and so are your eyes. Could it help with vision and dryness of the eye? Yes, in my opinion. Studies on kids with low DHA levels show poor reading scores as well as behavioral problems. Low DHA in children aged 7 through 9 were associated with reading and comprehension that was below average, as well as behavioral issues. Makes you wonder about the rampant use of ADHD medications.

Get this, your body has a mechanism in place such that you can think about what you want to do and then do it. You think, “I want to get that pot from the cabinet and cook tea” and then, without a thought, your arm reaches into the cabinet and you begin cooking. Omega 3 fatty acids (high DHA) supplementation has been shown to support healthy motor control by affecting the part of the brain called the cerebral cortex which oversees voluntary movements like this. DHA is one of my favorite supplements, and it’s sold at health-food stores nationwide.

Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist. The information presented here is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any condition. Visit SuzyCohen.com.