Is a DHA supplement necessary?
Posted by jennveg on Jun 30, 2010 · Member since Dec 2007 · 16 posts
I have been reading up on the omega-3 fatty acids and was wondering if a DHA supplement is necessary for vegans.
Does anyone have any suggestions or opinions on this? And is there anyone that takes a DHA supplement?
Yes, I recently started taking a DHA supplement. I highly recommend that you check out VeganHealth.org: http://veganhealth.org/articles/omega3
I also take a DHA supplement. I get mine from www.drfuhrman.com and it is derived from algae, not fish. There are a lot of supplements out there, but this is the only one I know of that is not fish-based and is grown in a lab under controlled conditions (not susceptible to environmental contamination, ie. mercury). There may be others out there, but it's lemon-flavored and very easy to put 0.5 ml into my morning smoothie.
Here's a couple links if you want to read more about DHA.
https://www.drfuhrman.com/library/article11.aspx
http://drfuhrman.com/library/DHA_benefits.aspx
I don't take DHA, and as far as omega 3s in general go, I'm not really concerned. There's a lot of hype about it "only" being in fish oil and flaxseeds, but there are actually many foods that have a decent ratio, including canola oil. If I remember right, though, there are fewer long-chain omega 3s (such as DHA) in a vegan diet, but the definitive effects of this has yet to be determined. There's some evidence of shorter clotting times with less DHA in vegetarians, but there's also contrary evidence. =/
It's also found in walnuts, hemp and a few other foods (can't remember off the top of my head right now).
They're also still learning about omegas so everything is very new and I wouldn't just rush out and grab an expensive bottle of suppliments, especially since you get the best benefits by consuming it in a food source. Like I said though, they are still researching it and I recently read an article about a study which found no cognitive benefits by taking an omega suppliment.
I just ran across this entry on the blog by Jack Norris RD, the guy who writes the VeganHealth.org nutrition recommendations: http://jacknorrisrd.com/?p=1084
Note that he does say "I am not so sure that vegans need to take DHA – the research is far from conclusive. But I would say that it is prudent (assuming they have no reason to think they are getting too much omega-3...)"
Omega 3's are one of the most researched things out there in the last 10 years. There's still much infomration coming out. The verdict is pretty much out there that Omega 3's have a tremendous amount of benefits from head to toe. There are plenty of good vegan sources of omega 3's. However, my understanding is that while DHA is manufactured by our body's from the fats we take in it's difficult to get in the high amounts necessary from plant sources.
I don't think a supplement is necessary, but it certain can be beneficial. I take one made by DEVA.
I took the one by DEVA and felt absolutely no difference. If anything I felt worse than I did before.
For me it's not a matter of "feeling different". I don't feel anymore different when I pop a vitamin pill either. It's about getting the long-term benefits and prevention.
I don't take a multivitamin, only certain types of vitamins/supplements and I do feel a difference when I use them. Personally, I'm not going to pay all of that money for something that may or may not be benefit me, that I can already get from food and that I feel absolutely no difference when taking.
Fair enough.
I take DHA. And I have been reading - probably too much about it.
What I have read that it is not necessary for a vegan diet if you are getting Omega 3 oil from some food (like flax seed). Our bodies can make DHA from Omega 3.
Damn, you guys should be taking E3LIve! It has DHA, B-12, plus 64 vitamins and minerals, all from a volcanic lake! and YES you will FEEL a difference, which is the main reason I take it. It is pure blue-green algae. I've been taking it for a year now and don't take any other supplements.
Don't forget I'm a whole saler and can get you a discount!
It's organic and vegan.
PM me if you want me to hook you up. I promise you won't be disappointed!
http://www.e3live.com
What I have read that it is not necessary for a vegan diet if you are getting Omega 3 oil from some food (like flax seed). Our bodies can make DHA from Omega 3.
But isn't it also true that our bodies have trouble making an adequate amount to be of much benefit?
Still, the body is amazing and with good nutrition and variety, not much is really needed in the way of supplementation.
I agree, Tweety!
From what I understand, although we can get omega 3's in other foods, DHA is a specific omega 3 that is only in significant amounts in fish (same with EPA), and algae.
I've been taking a DHA supplement for about a month now. I'm looking to get a DHA/EPA combo next.
Here's some research I had done previously on this topic:
http://www.dietaryfiberfood.com/fats/omega-3-fatty-acids-dha-food-sources.php
http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T040400.asp
http://www.dha-in-mind.com/
http://www.omega3forchildren.co.uk/articles/article_details.aspx?id=231
http://lifesdha.com/About-DHA/DHA-in-the-Diet.aspx
http://www.dhaomega3.org/index.php?category=faq&title=1259268286
http://www.nutraingredients.com/Regulation/Regulation-Omega-3-ready-for-RDIs-and-further-health-claims
In my research, it seems that EPA is equally as important too:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega-3_fatty_acid
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Docosahexaenoic_acid
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eicosapentaenoic_acid
That all being said, I was vegan previously for over 10 years, and never took any supplements at all, and was very healthy. So, it could be totally unnecessary. :shrug:
From what I understand, although we can get omega 3's in other foods, DHA is a specific omega 3 that is only in significant amounts in fish (same with EPA), and algae.
I've been taking a DHA supplement for about a month now. I'm looking to get a DHA/EPA combo next.
fyi -
You can get DHA supplements derived from seaweed (vegan).
EPA is only derived from fish oil (not vegan).
From what I understand, EPA is derived from the algae that the fish eat, just like DHA, so it is possible to get it vegan, I found one here:
http://www.veganstore.com/635.html
Came across this interesting article!
http://www.veganhealth.org/articles/fat#DHAEPA
This is very cool! I found that spirulina has both DHA and EPA!! Not to mention tons of other good stuff! I just picked up some, can't wait to try it!
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