Docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, is a polyunsaturated fatty acid necessary for the human body, and it is contained in fish oil. It is a linear fatty acid with 22 carbon atoms and 6 double bonds. Animal glycerophospholipids contain varying amounts of DHA, which can be produced by α-linolenic acid during metabolism in the body, but the amount of production is relatively low, and it is mainly supplemented by food.
(1) Helping brain cell development
DHA is an important component of brain cell membranes. It participates in the formation and development of brain cells. It plays an important role in the extension of nerve cell axons and the formation of new processes. It can maintain the normal physiological activities of nerve cells and participate in the process of brain thinking and memory formation. It may be related to the promotion of nerve cell protein synthesis and the growth of nerve cells.
(2) Anti-aging effect
Studies have shown that with increasing age, the content of DHA in human platelets and red blood cell membrane lipids decreases, and SOD activity decreases; after 12 elderly people took DHA preparations for 4 weeks, the content of DHA in red blood cell membrane lipids increased and SOD activity increased. There are also researches suggesting that DHA has anti-oxidant and anti-aging effects.
(3) Improve blood circulation
DHA can inhibit platelet aggregation, block thrombus formation, decrease blood viscosity, improve blood circulation, and lower blood pressure. It can be used to prevent and treat cere bral thrombosis and arteriosclerosis obliterans of lower limbs.
(4) Lowering blood lipids
DHA can lower serum total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and can treat hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.
other
DHA can antagonize allergic allergies, can prevent allergic dermatitis, bronchial asthma, relieve rheumatoid arthritis, etc.; can improve retinal reflex function, prevent vision loss; can reduce liver neutral fat, prevent fatty liver; have anti-cancer effects It can prevent breast cancer and other cancers, and can effectively inhibit tumor metastasis. In recent years, studies have found that docosahexaenoic acid can inhibit the occurrence, growth and metastasis of tumors, enhance the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapeutic drugs, and improve the body\'s cachexia. , Extend the survival time of the tumor; it can lower blood sugar and relieve the symptoms of diabetes. The elderly take more health products containing DHA, which can often restore degraded brain nerve function and memory to a certain extent. It can be used to invigorate the brain, improve memory and thinking ability, and have a certain effect on memory loss and senile dementia.
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