{
  "slug": "dha-algal-oil",
  "name": "DHA Algal Oil (Vegan DHA)",
  "alternate_names": [
    "Algal DHA",
    "Vegan DHA",
    "Schizochytrium DHA",
    "Crypthecodinium cohnii DHA",
    "Plant-source DHA",
    "Microalgal omega-3 (DHA-dominant)",
    "life's DHA® (DSM-sourced only)"
  ],
  "mechanism": [
    "Integrates into neuronal and retinal membrane phospholipids — DHA constitutes 40-60% of gray-matter phospholipid fatty acids and is the principal structural lipid of photoreceptor outer-segment membranes",
    "Serves as the obligate precursor to specialized pro-resolving mediators (D-series Resolvins RvD1-D5 and Protectin D1), the DHA-specific inflammation-resolution pathway that is independent of EPA",
    "Activates PPAR-α and the GPR120/FFAR4 receptor, modulating hepatic triglyceride/VLDL output and adipose anti-inflammatory signalling",
    "Supports synaptic plasticity via BDNF/CREB-linked long-term potentiation relevant to hippocampal memory encoding",
    "Sourced by closed-system microalgal fermentation (Schizochytrium sp. / Crypthecodinium cohnii), delivering DHA without the marine food chain — DHA-dominant with low or no EPA (typically <1-3% EPA), distinguishing it from mixed EPA+DHA fish oil"
  ],
  "target": [
    "Membrane phospholipids (neuronal + retinal)",
    "PPAR-α",
    "GPR120 / FFAR4",
    "Resolvin D1/D2 pathway",
    "Protectin D1 pathway",
    "Serum triglyceride / lipoprotein profile"
  ],
  "use_case": [
    "cognitive and brain-function maintenance research",
    "visual-function and tear-film research",
    "serum triglyceride and lipoprotein research",
    "maternal DHA status and fetal/infant neurodevelopment research",
    "infant-formula DHA fortification research",
    "inflammation-resolution (SPM) research",
    "vegan / vegetarian / fish-avoiding DHA adequacy"
  ],
  "body_system": [
    "NEURO",
    "VISION",
    "CARDIO",
    "REPRO",
    "IMMUNE",
    "CELL"
  ],
  "evidence_tier": "A",
  "evidence_anchor_pmid_count": 3,
  "dosage_range": "General brain/vision maintenance: 250 mg DHA/day (EFSA Art.13.1 threshold). Adult cognition: 500-900 mg DHA/day (MIDAS). Visual/dry-eye research: 500-1000 mg DHA/day. Serum-triglyceride research context: 1-4 g DHA/day (algal-DHA meta median ~1.68 g/day). Pregnancy: ≥200 mg DHA/day added above the adult 250 mg baseline (DOMInO used 800 mg/day). Upper-intake reference: EFSA considers combined EPA+DHA up to 5 g/day tolerable long-term.",
  "safety_notes": "Excellent tolerability; closed-system microalgal cultivation avoids the mercury / PCB / dioxin burden of the marine food chain. Algal source is a declarable allergen — individuals with known algae allergy should avoid. Combined EPA+DHA above ~3 g/day may prolong bleeding time; consult a physician if taking anticoagulants (warfarin/clopidogrel) or with bleeding disorders. Pregnancy and lactation safety well characterized in large RCTs (DOMInO/Cochrane, no adverse-event signal). NOTE: \"100% vegan / halal / kosher / plant-source\" requires whole-chain supply-chain certification (fermentation medium, antioxidants, capsule shell may be animal-derived). \"life's DHA®\" is a DSM trademark usable only on DSM-sourced material.",
  "regulatory": {
    "fda": "GRAS (multiple FDA no-questions notices for algal DHA oils from Schizochytrium sp. and Crypthecodinium cohnii — e.g. GRN 137/138 Martek/DSM plus GRN 580/732/860/1128 for newer strains; first responses ~2004) · DSHEA dietary supplement · permitted in infant formula (21 CFR 107) · EPA+DHA Qualified Health Claims available (CHD risk, docket 2003Q-0401; blood pressure, docket 2014Q-0337) with mandatory full qualifier; FDA recommends keeping supplemental EPA+DHA <2 g/day for labelling and <3 g/day total",
    "efsa": "Schizochytrium/Ulkenia/C. cohnii oils on the EU Novel Food list (Reg 2017/2470; originally Decision 2003/427/EC → 2014/463/EU; EFSA 2020 multi-strain extensions) · Reg 432/2012 authorized DHA claims (brain 250 mg/d, vision 250 mg/d) · Reg 440/2011 maternal Art.14 claims · combined EPA+DHA up to 5 g/day tolerable",
    "anvisa": "IN 28/2018 Anexo I authorized ingredient (Schizochytrium sp. algal DHA) · RDC 243/2018 dietary-supplement framework · Anexo V functional claims (visual/brain function; EPA+DHA triglyceride at ≥1.500 mg/day) · restricted to ≥19 years, NOT permitted for children/infants (True Source pediatric liquid DHA suspended by VISA/SC notice 019/2023)"
  },
  "authorized_claims": [
    {
      "market": "EFSA",
      "framework_reference": "Reg 432/2012",
      "claim_verbatim": "DHA contributes to maintenance of normal brain function (≥250 mg DHA/day)"
    },
    {
      "market": "EFSA",
      "framework_reference": "Reg 432/2012",
      "claim_verbatim": "DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal vision (≥250 mg DHA/day)"
    },
    {
      "market": "EFSA",
      "framework_reference": "Reg 432/2012",
      "claim_verbatim": "DHA and EPA contribute to the maintenance of normal blood triglyceride levels (2 g EPA+DHA/day)"
    },
    {
      "market": "EFSA",
      "framework_reference": "Reg 432/2012",
      "claim_verbatim": "EPA and DHA contribute to the normal function of the heart (250 mg EPA+DHA/day)"
    },
    {
      "market": "EFSA",
      "framework_reference": "Reg 440/2011",
      "claim_verbatim": "Maternal DHA intake contributes to the normal brain development of the foetus and breastfed infants (200 mg DHA/day above adult intake during pregnancy + lactation)"
    },
    {
      "market": "EFSA",
      "framework_reference": "Reg 1924/2006 Art.14",
      "claim_verbatim": "DHA maternal intake contributes to the normal development of the eye of the foetus and breastfed infants (+200 mg DHA/day)"
    },
    {
      "market": "EFSA",
      "framework_reference": "Reg 1924/2006 Art.14",
      "claim_verbatim": "DHA intake contributes to the normal visual development of infants up to 12 months of age (≥100 mg DHA/day)"
    },
    {
      "market": "FDA",
      "framework_reference": "FDA QHC 2003Q-0401",
      "claim_verbatim": "Supportive but not conclusive research shows that consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease"
    },
    {
      "market": "ANVISA",
      "framework_reference": "IN 28/2018 Anexo V",
      "claim_verbatim": "DHA contribui para manutenção da função visual e cerebral"
    },
    {
      "market": "ANVISA",
      "framework_reference": "IN 28/2018 Anexo V",
      "claim_verbatim": "Os ácidos graxos ômega 3 EPA e DHA auxiliam na redução dos triglicerídeos (≥1.500 mg EPA+DHA/dia)"
    }
  ],
  "ingredient_hub_url": "https://asxan.ai/ingredients/dha-algal-oil/",
  "related_goal_slugs": [
    "cognitive-support",
    "heart-health"
  ],
  "related_lifestyle_slugs": [
    "pregnancy",
    "plant-based"
  ],
  "last_evidence_review": "2026-06-13",
  "schema_version": "nc-public-v0.2",
  "api_version": "nc-public-v0.3",
  "_meta": {
    "last_evidence_review": "2026-06-13",
    "ip_axes_disclosed": {
      "public_axes": [
        "mechanism",
        "target",
        "use_case",
        "body_system",
        "evidence_tier",
        "dosage_range",
        "safety_notes",
        "regulatory",
        "authorized_claims"
      ],
      "ip_axes_not_exposed": [
        "proprietary_formula_ratios",
        "clinical_protocol_internals",
        "rnd_pipeline_compounds",
        "supplier_specific_grade_specifications",
        "unpublished_endpoint_data"
      ],
      "rationale": "asxan.ai surfaces the educational, evidence-tier-disclosed slice. Formula composition, clinical-protocol internals, and RnD pipeline data are intentionally outside this public surface."
    }
  }
}