🇺🇸 FDA
GRAS · DSHEA dietary supplement · qualified health claims under the omega-3 framework when EPA+DHA blend threshold met
DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid · Pure / High-DHA Formulations)
Also known as: Docosahexaenoic acid · Pure DHA · High-DHA omega-3 · Algal DHA-only formulation
Mechanism of action
- Omega-3 C22:6 PUFA · highly enriched in retinal photoreceptors and synaptic neuronal membranes
- Substrate for D-series Resolvins / Protectins / Maresins (SPM family)
- Membrane phospholipid integration in brain phosphatidylethanolamine pools
- Maternal-foetal placental transfer for foetal brain development (basis for EFSA art 14(1)(b) maternal DHA claim)
Molecular + tissue targets
- Synaptic membrane DHA pool
- Retinal photoreceptor DHA
- Maternal DHA reserves and foetal brain DHA accretion (third trimester window)
Dosage range
200 mg DHA/day in addition to the 250 mg EPA+DHA general RDA — required for the EFSA art 14(1)(b) maternal DHA claim. For age-related cognitive decline the DHA supplementation evidence is mixed: Balachandar 2020 PMID 32060571 European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology systematic review and meta-analysis of 10 RCT (n = 2,327 elderly) found minimal or no pooled incremental effects on memory, attention, working memory or executive function · honest framing: DHA cognitive maintenance under EFSA claim is structural maintenance, not cognitive restoration in age-related decline
Safety notes
Excellent safety profile within recommended supplementation ranges; very-high-dose DHA (> 5 g/day) is not advised without clinician oversight; vegan-DHA products are typically marine-algae-based and avoid fish allergens
Cross-market regulatory status
🇪🇺 EFSA
Authorized claims Reg 432/2012 (brain function, vision) when DHA per-serving threshold reached + art 14(1)(b) maternal DHA claim
🇧🇷 ANVISA
RDC 243/2018 dietary supplement · IN 28/2018 Anexo V alegação funcional verbatim: "Os ácidos graxos ômega 3 EPA e DHA auxiliam na redução dos triglicerídeos." (≥ 1.500 mg EPA+DHA/dia)
Authorized claims · verbatim (4)
Direct quotes from each jurisdiction's framework · never paraphrased · with framework reference and conditions of use.
🇪🇺 EFSA · 3 claims
Reg 432/2012
DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal brain function.
Conditions: Reg 1924/2006 art 10(2): claim may be used only for food which contains at least 40 mg of DHA per 100 g and per 100 kcal; consumer informed that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 250 mg of DHA
Authorized 2012
Reg 432/2012
DHA contributes to the maintenance of normal vision.
Conditions: Reg 1924/2006 art 10(2): claim may be used only for food which contains at least 40 mg of DHA per 100 g and per 100 kcal; consumer informed that the beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 250 mg of DHA
Authorized 2012
Reg 432/2012
Maternal intake of DHA contributes to normal brain development of the foetus and breastfed infants.
Conditions: Reg 1924/2006 art 14(1)(b): claim may only be used for food which provides a daily intake of at least 200 mg DHA in addition to the recommended daily intake of n-3 fatty acids for adults (250 mg DHA and EPA); claim shall be made available only for foods intended for pregnant and lactating women
Authorized 2012
🇧🇷 ANVISA · 1 claim
IN 28/2018 Anexo V alegação funcional
Os ácidos graxos ômega 3 EPA e DHA auxiliam na redução dos triglicerídeos.
Conditions: IN 28/2018 Anexo V: alegação restrita a suplementos que forneçam ao menos 1.500 mg de EPA + DHA por dia
Authorized 2018
Common use cases
- maternal supplementation for foetal brain development (200 mg DHA/day above general omega-3 RDA per EFSA art 14(1)(b))
- visual maintenance and cognitive maintenance per EFSA Reg 432/2012 at 250 mg DHA/day
- vegan / vegetarian DHA-only adequacy via algal-sourced product
Cross-reference
Health goals: cognitive support eye protection reproductive health
Lifestyles: pregnancy plant based senior 60 plus
Full dossier: /ingredients/dha/
Machine-readable JSON: /api/nc/dha.json