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While watching television, I saw this ad for Juicy Juice’s new Brain Development Fruit Juice Beverage:
“Her brain will triple in size by the time she is two. New Juicy Juice® Brain Development Fruit Juice Beverage is enhanced with DHA, an essential building block for brain development, and comes in delicious apple and grape flavors. So you can help her shine a little more every day”.
I was a bit skeptical when I first heard this—I hadn’t heard of DHA before, and with the FDA’s current investigations into health claims that food products are making, I needed to know more. However, DHA is the real deal, and quite a remarkable thing. DHA, or decosahexaenoic acid, is an omega-3 essential fatty acid that makes up 40% of the brain’s polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). DHA are found naturally in fish oils (the Juicy Juice’s DHA is derived from tuna), and a vegetarian alternative is manufactured from microalgae.
There are multiple health benefits of having a DHA-rich diet. DHA has been shown to reduce the level of blood triglycerides, thus lowering the risk of heart disease. In the brain, DHA is involved in the modulation of the transport of important organic compounds and acids, including choline, glycine and taurine. In addition, there has been cancer research with promising results: one study showed DHA acted better than other omega-3 fatty acids in inhibiting the growth of human colon carcinoma cells, and another study in 2008 showed that DHA increased the effectiveness of chemotherapy on prostate cancer cells. However, it is still too early in the testing phase for DHA to be used as a form of treatment. Deficits in DHA has negative effects on the brain: low levels of DHA results in the reduction of the brain’s serotonin levels, an important monoamine whose low levels have been associated with ADHD, Alzheimer’s disease and depression (depression is commonly treated with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)).
With all the great benefits of DHA, is it important to start giving DHA to children through juice? DHA is added to baby formula, but it is also important that breast feeding mothers also have a good DHA intake. In breast milk, the amount of DHA ranges from 0.07% to greater than 1.0%, with a higher concentration when the mother ingests more DHA through fish. Three hundred mg per day of DHA has been recommended by the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids for pregnant and lactating women. While the natural sources are the best way to get DHA, anything that a kid is willing to drink is a victory for mothers.
Elizabeth Stannard Gromisch received her bachelor’s of science degree in neuroscience from Trinity College in Hartford, CT in May 2009. Her thesis research was in learning, memory and attention in female college-age sexual assault survivors with posttraumatic stress disorder.
Add a Comment5 Comments
I just realized that I should register so that I don't appear as anonymous! I wasn't trying to hide as an anonymous poster. My name is Sean Hannigan and my contact info is above... Thanks
June 1, 2009 - 8:12amThis Comment
I would have to first put out my disclaimer that I am biased when it comes to Omega3's. I am not an advocate of fish oil or flaxseed and I love Salmon but could never eat enough of it to reach the level of Omega3 that I can achieve with Mila. That being said, I would encourage you to view a few short videos featuring an interview with Dr. Wayne Coates (rediscovered Chia) where he discusses the value of Mila and why Mila is the best delivery system for Omega3's.
I have also done a great amount of personal research on the effects that Omegas have on different health issues and can provide further upon specific requests (testimonials etc)
Here is the link to the videos that I discussed.
http://sublimewealth.com/20090601137/Omega-3/interview-with-dr-coates.html
Have a great day!!
June 1, 2009 - 8:10amThis Comment
The research into the benefits of DHA (Omega3's in general) is amazing! Without going too far into detail on the workings of ALA/DHA/EPA, there many different sources that one can use to ingest Omega 3s, however...not all are as safe as others, and the balance of Omega3s to Omega 6s is very important. Take a look at
http://sublimewealth.com/20090601135/Omega-3/why-mila-as-the-best-source-of-omega3.html
to read about the safest, all natural, whole raw food that will give you 3000mg of Omega 3 per serving!!
And great amounts of Calcium, Iron, Potassium, Magnesium, Fiber, Protein, Selenium, Phosphorus and Antioxidants...
Take a look, call me if you would like to discuss further. This is very exciting stuff, without getting technical...
May 31, 2009 - 6:21pmThis Comment
Thanks---I will review the information.
And, I would love to hear some of the reader-friendly "technical" stuff about ALA, DHA and EPA. It's fascinating how these oils/fats can have so much effect on brain function, as well as other organs. I can also not read enough about the differences of Omega 3s and Omega 6s...there seems to be so much information, but not in a user-friendly format.
Bring on the technical stuff! :-)
May 31, 2009 - 8:43pmThis Comment
Thanks for this information---I had heard of all the great benefits of DHA for children (I even buy the organic milk that is DHA fortified), but had not also heard the benefits for adults using DHA.
May 31, 2009 - 6:00amThis Comment