New Study Reveals DHA-Calcium Complex Enhances DHA Bioavailability and Tissue Targeting Efficiency

YANGLING, CHINA – Researchers from the College of Food Science and Engineering at Northwest A&F University have published a groundbreaking study in ScienceDirect, indicate that a novel DHA-calcium fatty acid complex (DHA-Ca) significantly improves the oral bioavailability and tissue distribution of DHA compared to conventional algal oil DHA. These findings suggest that DHA-Ca provides a promising and effective strategy for enhanced DHA delivery in nutraceutical and functional food applications.

Study Overview

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a critical omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid essential for brain, retinal, and cardiovascular health, suffers from limited bioavailability due to poor absorption efficiency. To address this challenge, researchers from Northwest A&F University collaborated with Puredia Limited to investigate the pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution, and metabolic benefits of DHA complexed with calcium ions (DHA-Ca), compared to traditional algal oil DHA in mice.


Key Findings:

Enhanced Pharmacokinetics and Bioavailability

The study utilized gas chromatography analysis (GC-FID) to quantify plasma DHA concentrations after oral administration. Results demonstrated that DHA-Ca significantly accelerated DHA absorption, reaching a maximum plasma concentration (C_max) of 0.177 μg/mL, representing a 1.81-fold increase compared to algal oil DHA (0.098 μg/mL, p < 0.01). Additionally, DHA-Ca exhibited a notably higher total systemic exposure, with a 2.26-fold increase in the area under the curve (AUC_0–∞ = 3.701 h·mg/L vs. 1.638 h·mg/L for conventional DHA; relative bioavailability = 175.66%), and maintained a prolonged mean residence time (MRT = 29.71 h vs. 26.83 h).


Superior Tissue Distribution

Importantly, DHA-Ca significantly enhanced tissue-specific delivery and accumulation. After 24 hours, DHA levels in liver, heart, and brain tissues were notably higher in the DHA-Ca group compared to conventional DHA:

  • Liver DHA content increased by 2.28-fold (p < 0.05)

  • Heart DHA content increased by 2.00-fold (p < 0.05)

  • Brain DHA content increased by 1.54-fold (p < 0.05)

These results indicate targeted organ delivery efficiency, particularly beneficial for neurological and cardiovascular health.

Metabolic Pathway Modulation Revealed by Metabolomics

An untargeted metabolomics analysis using LC-MS further elucidated the mechanistic advantages of DHA-Ca. The analysis identified 234 significantly altered metabolites between DHA-Ca and algal oil DHA groups, highlighting distinct metabolic pathway activations. Specifically, DHA-Ca administration significantly modulated pathways associated with:

  • Enhanced bile acid metabolism (activation of FXR signaling, increased bile acids including taurocholic acid and glycocholic acid)

  • Improved antioxidant metabolism (significant increases in glutathione and α-ketoglutarate, elevated NADPH/NADP⁺ ratio)

  • Regulation of lipid transport via ABC transporters (marked increase of bile acids and modulation of ABCB1 transporter pathways)

  • Attenuation of fatty acid β-oxidation (reduced levels of lipid oxidation intermediates like acetyl-CoA and 12,13-DiHOME)

These metabolic adjustments suggest that DHA-Ca not only facilitates improved DHA absorption, but also stabilizes and protects DHA through enhanced antioxidant defenses and optimized lipid transport mechanisms.

About Northwest A&F University
Northwest A&F University is recognized for its commitment to research excellence and innovation, especially in the areas of life sciences and technology. Located in Yangling, Shaanxi, China, the university is dedicated to addressing global challenges in food science, agriculture, and health.


About Puredia

Puredia is a global leader in the supply of organic, innovative, and clinically tested nutritional ingredients, specializing in the cultivation and development of Sea Buckthorn products. Established by Dr. Hywel Yuen, Puredia upholds rigorous international certification standards, including USDA, EU, Canada, and China Organic certifications, alongside Halal and Kosher accreditations. The company is distinguished by its robust commitment to scientific research, ensuring the highest levels of efficacy and safety in its offerings. Puredia's dedication to sustainability and social responsibility is evident in its management of organic-certified farms located on the Tibetan Plateau and its contributions to local communities, particularly in enhancing educational opportunities for children in surrounding areas.