Top 5 Brands of DHA Supplements

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is an Omega-3 fatty acid, which helps brain development and function. DHA is also touted as beneficial to many health conditions, such as: cardiovascular disease, asthma and arthritis. We need Omega-3 fatty acids to function normally, but our bodies do not produce them. This is why DHA must be obtained from foods we eat or DHA supplements.

Be sure to consult your doctor before taking a DHA supplement. Your doctor may have recommendations or warnings, based on your health, medication and their experience. DHA supplements can adversely affect people who take certain medications, like blood thinners or aspirin.

Best DHA Supplements: Vegetarian
Omega-3 fatty acid DHA, derived from plants, is a vegetarian alternative to fish oil. PureGels Aqua Botanica DHA Soft Gels are naturally produced from marine algae. These DHA supplements can be purchased at CVS, retailing at $11.69, for 30 soft gels.

Best DHA Supplements: Multivitamin
If you already take a multivitamin, check and see if it contains DHA. If not, and you are planning on taking a DHA supplement, consider switching to one that does. This will save you from having to add another pill to your medications and the cost of buying two separate dietary supplements. Hillestad's^® Summit Gold^® Multi-Vitamin contains Omega-3 fatty acid DHA, from fish oil. This multivitamin with DHA can be purchased at HillestadLabs.com. Pricing starts at $19.39, for 160 layer tablets.

Best DHA Supplements: Fish Oil
Fish oil is a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids, as it contains both DHA and EPA. Walmart carries fish oil DHA supplements, by Spring Valley. They come in either a liquid or soft gel. These DHA supplements are not sold on Walmart's website and price varies by store.

Best DHA Supplements: Pre-natal
DHA supplements are thought to support a fetus' brain and eye development. If you are pregnant, do not take DHA supplements derived from fish, as they may contain mercury. Expecta's LIPIL DHA Supplement Soft gels are made with a non-fish source of DHA. They can be purchased at CVS, at $13.99, for 30 pills.

Best DHA Supplements: Breastfeeding
Since breastfed babies get their nutrients from their mothers, some doctors believe that these mothers should continue to take Omega-3 fatty acid supplements. TwinLab's Dr. Greene Omega-3, Stage 1 Pre/Post Natal with EPA and DHA, are formulated with nursing mothers in mind. A 100 count of soft gels can be purchased at CVS, for $11.49.

Sources:
http://content.onlinejacc.org/cgi/content/abstract/54/7/585
http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/omega-3-fatty-acids-fact-sheet