30 January 2012
New US research shows that docosahexaenoic acid is essential to build a vital sperm-cell structure.
In the study, mice that lack a gene essential to synthesize docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) showed to be infertile due to low sperm count and motility (1). When DHA was introduced into the mice’s diet, fertility was completely restored. The researchers showed that DHA is necessary for the building blocks of the sperm’s ‘acrosome’ to fuse. The acrosome is an arc-like structure that develops over half of the sperm cell’s head that houses and organizes a variety of enzymes which sperm use to penetrate an egg.
The scientists commented that in addition to create healthy sperm, DHA further has numerous health functions. Because DHA is abundant in specific tissues, including the brain and the retina, as well as the testes, the study results could also impact research relating to brain function and vision. DHA deficiencies could play a role, for example, in the development of dementia.
9 July 2012
The omega3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, commonly referred to as EPA and DHA, may help to generate an optimal balance of the oxidative status by gene regulation, suggests a new German study.
19 December 2011
Regular supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid may be more effective in preventing heart attacks in men than in women, a new Australian study says.
13 March 2017
The month of February is dedicated to heart health. The route to a healthy heart is through your stomach: eat well to support the three pillars of heart health. Keep blood pressure under control, maintain a healthy blood lipid profile, and support a healthy blood flow with nutrition.
