DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)Can the body make its own DHA?
Updated 9 Nov 2026
Short answer
Only a little. The body can turn ALA, the omega-3 fat in flaxseed, walnuts and canola oil, into EPA and then into DHA, but reported conversion rates are below 15%.[1] Eating DHA or taking it as a supplement is the only practical way to raise its level.[1]
Classic essential fatty acid deficiency is almost never seen in healthy people in the US. Its signs, such as rough and scaly skin, were found mostly in people fed through a vein with solutions that lacked these fats.[1] Algal oil gives DHA without fish.[2]
Sources (2)
- Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. ods.od.nih.gov
- Omega-3 Supplements: What You Need To Know. NIH National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 2024. www.nccih.nih.gov
More about dha (docosahexaenoic acid)
What is DHA?Does DHA lower inflammation?How much DHA is recommended in pregnancy?What is the difference between DHA and EPA?What is DHA used for?Which foods are high in DHA?For education; not medical advice. Talk to a doctor before you start, stop or change a supplement.