Each capsule contains: Algal Oil (from schizochytrium sp.) 606 mg, providing DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) 200 mg. Other Ingredients: Gelatin, Glycerin, Purified Water, Turmeric, Annatto Extract, Tocopherols, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Rosemary Extract, Soy Lecithin.
Brand name products often contain multiple ingredients. To read detailed information about each ingredient, click on the link for the individual ingredient shown above.
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In order to be marketed in Canada, natural health products must be licensed. In order to be licensed in Canada, manufacturers must submit applications to Health Canada including information about uses, formulation, dosing, safety, and efficacy.
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Below is general information about the effectiveness of the known ingredients contained in the product Super Neurogen DHA. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE
Below is general information about the safety of the known ingredients contained in the product Super Neurogen DHA. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
LIKELY SAFE ...when docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-enriched algal oil is used orally and appropriately. Specific algal oils (DHASCO and DHASCO-S, Martek Biosciences Corp) have been safely used in clinical research at doses of 1.5-15 grams daily for 4-15 weeks (48254). One of these oils (DHASCO, Martek Biosciences Corp) has also been safely used in doses of about 1.5-9 grams, providing DHA 30 mg/kg, daily for up to 4 years (90684). These algal oils provide approximately 35% to 40% DHA, small amounts of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, and insignificant amounts of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (48254). However, there is some concern that high intake of omega-3 fatty acids in algal oil might increase the risk of bleeding. For this reason, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that consumers limit intake of DHA plus EPA to 3 grams daily, with no more than 2 grams daily from a dietary supplement (95739).
POSSIBLY SAFE ...when eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)-enriched algal oil is used orally and appropriately. A specific algal oil supplement (Almega PL) providing EPA 250 mg daily has been used with apparent safety for up to 12 weeks (103314). However, there is some concern that high intake of omega-3 fatty acids in algal oil might increase the risk of bleeding. For this reason, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that consumers limit intake of DHA plus EPA to 3 grams daily, with no more than 2 grams daily from a dietary supplement (95739).
POSSIBLY UNSAFE ...when used orally in high doses. Algal oil contains docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and/or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). There is some concern that taking more than 3 grams of EPA plus DHA daily might decrease platelet aggregation and increase the risk of bleeding (1313). The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that consumers limit intake of DHA plus EPA to 3 grams daily, with no more than 2 grams daily from a dietary supplement (95739).
CHILDREN: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally and appropriately.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-enriched algal oil has been safely used as a source of DHA in some infant formulas since 2002 (5941,48084,48095,48343,98548). One specific type of algal oil (DHASCO) is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for use in infant formula when combined with a fungal-derived arachidonic acid oil (ARASCO) (48176). In children 7 years and older, this same algal oil (DHASCO) providing DHA 30 mg/kg daily has been used safely for up to 4 years (90684). Algal oil 1-2.4 grams providing 0.4-1 grams of DHA daily has also been safely used in children ages 4 years and older for up to 1 year (11333,90665,104560). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)-enriched algal oils in children.
PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: LIKELY SAFE
when used orally and appropriately.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-enriched algal oil is commonly included as a component of prenatal vitamins. Algal oil providing DHA 400-600 mg daily during pregnancy has been used with apparent safety in most clinical research (90672,90694). When taken as a prenatal supplement, DHA-enriched algal oil increases DHA levels in breast milk (90685). Taking DHA-enriched algal oil during lactation also increases levels of DHA in breast milk (109214,110362). One study found that using DHA-enriched algal oil during lactation increased the risk of bronchopulmonary dysplasia in breastfed infants born at less than 29 weeks gestational age; however, it is unclear if this was due to DHA or various confounding factors (104559). The tolerable upper intake level of DHA during pregnancy or lactation has not been established. Most experts recommend an intake of DHA 200-300 mg daily during pregnancy and lactation. While it is typically advised that this need be met by consuming 8-12 ounces of seafood weekly during pregnancy and 4-8 ounces weekly during lactation, individuals with nutrient deficiency or those following a vegan diet may meet this need with supplementation, including algal oil (95740,95741).
There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)-enriched algal oils during pregnancy or lactation.
Below is general information about the interactions of the known ingredients contained in the product Super Neurogen DHA. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
Theoretically, algal oil may increase the risk of bleeding if used with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
Details
The risk of interaction is highest for algal oil containing high amounts (> 2 grams daily) of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), or EPA and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). High doses of EPA or oils containing EPA and DHA can reduce platelet aggregation in humans (8671,8679,8696,9930,13769,21223,21224,66258). However, most algal oil contains very little EPA and larger amounts of DHA. While some conflicting evidence exist, most research shows that DHA alone does not affect blood clotting (9930,11112,11113,48020).
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Theoretically, taking algal oil with antidiabetes drugs might interfere with the effects of antidiabetes drugs and reduce their effects.
Details
Most algal oil contains docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Clinical research in people with type 2 diabetes, including those taking antidiabetes drugs, shows that taking DHA 4 grams daily for 6 weeks increases fasting blood glucose levels by about 18 mg/dL when compared with taking olive oil (10321).
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Theoretically, taking algal oil with antihypertensive drugs might increase the risk of hypotension.
Details
Algal oil usually contains docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and/or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). There is evidence that fish oil, which also contains DHA and EPA, can modestly lower blood pressure and might have additive effects in patients treated with antihypertensive drugs (1001,1020,1030,1033,47944,48013,48020,48163).
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Below is general information about the adverse effects of the known ingredients contained in the product Super Neurogen DHA. Some ingredients may not be listed. This information does NOT represent a recommendation for or a test of this specific product as a whole.
General
...Orally, algal oil is generally well tolerated.
Most Common Adverse Effects:
Orally: Fishy burps and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Cardiovascular ...Orally, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-enriched algal oil 68 grams daily) can modestly increase low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels by about 8% in patients without coronary heart disease. This increase in LDL cholesterol is similar to that observed for patients taking purified DHA 4 grams daily (90669).
Dermatologic ...Orally, one parent of a pediatric patient treated with algal oil providing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 600 mg daily for 16 weeks reported increased hair loss beginning 6 weeks after completion of supplementation (90699). It is unclear if this adverse effect is specifically related to algal oil intake. Algal oil may theoretically cause itching, rash, or warmth in the hands due to its constituents DHA and/or eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (15497,48217); however, while these adverse effects have been reported with other sources of DHA and EPA, they have not been reported specifically for patients taking algal oil.
Gastrointestinal ...Orally, fishy burps and mild nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms have been reported in clinical research for participants taking algal oil providing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 600 mg daily for 2 weeks (48220). Algal oil may theoretically cause other adverse events including nausea, vomiting, flatulence, and loose stools due to its DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) constituents (1009,1313,8699,10007,10869,11333,15497,103314); however, these adverse effects have not been reported specifically for patients taking algal oil.
Genitourinary ...Orally, algal oil may theoretically cause decreased libido due to its constituent docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). In one clinical study, one patient taking DHA 1, 2, or 4 grams daily (specific dose unclear) reported decreased libido (48217); however, this adverse effect has not been reported specifically for patients taking algal oil.
Hematologic ...Orally, algal oil might cause nose bleeds, but this is uncommon. Onset of severe nose bleeds has been reported in one clinical study in one child who took algal oil providing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) 600 mg daily (98542). Some algal oil may theoretically decrease blood coagulation and increase the risk of bleeding in some patients due to its fatty acid constituents (1009,1313,8699,10007,15497); however, the potential risk might depend on the ratio of DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in the algal oil. Most clinical research shows that DHA alone does not affect blood clotting (11112,11113,48020). Therefore, algal oils containing high amounts of DHA and negligible amounts of EPA seem unlikely to increase the risk. However, there is evidence that taking high doses of oils providing EPA and DHA might decrease blood coagulation and increase the risk of bleeding (1313). The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends that consumers limit intake of EPA plus DHA to 3 grams daily, with no more than 2 grams daily from a dietary supplement (95739). While these adverse effects have not been reported specifically for patients taking algal oil, patients should limit intake of algal oil to daily doses providing no more than 2 grams of EPA and DHA.
Musculoskeletal ...Orally, algal oil may theoretically cause joint pain due to its constituent, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), although results are conflicting. In one clinical study, a higher percentage of patients treated with EPA ethyl ester 2 or 4 grams daily experienced arthralgia compared to placebo (3.4% and 1.7% vs 0.4%, respectively) (91409). However, in another study, slightly fewer patients taking EPA ethyl ester 1.8 grams daily experienced joint, lumbar, or muscle pain compared to placebo (1.6% vs 2.0%, respectively) (15497). These adverse effects have not been reported specifically for patients taking algal oil.
Neurologic/CNS ...Orally, algal oil may theoretically cause insomnia or light-headedness/dizziness due to its constituent docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). In one clinical study, three adult patients reported light-headedness or dizziness, and one patient reported insomnia, when treated with DHA 2 grams daily. It is unclear if these events are treatment related, as one patient in the placebo group also reported insomnia (10869). These adverse effects have not been reported specifically for patients taking algal oil.
Oncologic ...Orally, algal oil may theoretically increase the risk of prostate cancer due to its constituent docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); however, further research is needed to clarify this finding. An analysis of data from observational studies found that higher DHA intake is associated with a non-linear increased risk of prostate cancer (90677). However, it is unclear if supplemental DHA intake is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, and this association has not been reported specifically for patients taking algal oil.