Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) : Properties, Functions and Health Effects

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an essential fatty acid of the omega-3 (n-3) series that has received substantial attention due to its pivotal roles in biological functions including brain and visual development, cognition, inflammatory responses and with decreasing risk or mortality with cardiovascular diseases. This book reviews the properties of DHA, as well as its functions and effects on health. Chapter One reviews the literature on the effects of DHA in bone health with a focus on the growth period. Chapter Two examines recent trends in research leading to the obtaining of bioactive lipids able to deliver DHA with a high bioavailability. Chapter Three discusses DHA’s protective effect on organ function and inflammatory response in burns. Chapter Four considers the effects of dietary DHA on CVD risk factors, and in particular its actions on vascular endothelial cell dysfunction.