Difference Between DHEA and DHA

Key Difference – DHEA vs DHA

DHEA (Dehydroepiandrosterone) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) are important components present in the human body. Both compounds are involved in the different specific development and regulatory processes of the body. Even though both these compounds seem to possess similar types of acronyms, both compounds are totally different in the aspect of classification, synthesis, and function. DHEA is an endogenous steroid hormone, and DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid. This is the key difference between DHEA and DHA.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is DHEA
3. What is DHA
4. Similarities Between DHEA and DHA
5. Side by Side Comparison – DHEA vs DHA in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is DHEA?

DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is commonly referred to as androstenolone. DHEA is an endogenous steroid hormone. It is mainly synthesized in the adrenal glands, brain and in the gonads. DHEA is considered to have many potential functions within the body and is one of the steroids that circulates within the body most abundantly. In the brain, DHEA acts as a metabolic intermediate which involves in the synthesis of estrogen and androgen steroid sex hormones.

It also has the potential to act as a neurosteroid and neutrophin which the DHEA binds to an array of nuclear and cell surface proteins. Neurosteroids have the potential to involve in rapid alteration of neuronal excitability processes which is achieved through different interactions with cell surface receptors and ligand-gated ion channels.  Neurotrophins are a class of proteins which involve in the induction of survival and development of neurons. Therefore, DHEA is an essential important component of the central nervous system.

The synthesizing mechanism of DHEA involves the two hormones ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) and GnRH (gonadotrophin releasing hormone). ACTH controls the synthesis of DHEA in the zona reticularis of adrenal cortex and GnRH regulates gonads during the synthesis of DHEA. This endogenous steroid hormone is also produced in the brain. Cholesterol acts as a precursor in synthesizing DHEA through different enzymes. Out of the total DHEA synthesized in the body, higher percentage of DHEA is derived from the adrenal cortex and through desulfation of  dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS).

Higher DHEA production in the body could be stimulated through regular exercises. In primates, this is achieved through calorie restriction. Theories suggest endogenous DHEA production stimulation through calorie restriction lead to longer lifespans.

What is DHA?

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is considered to be an omega-3 fatty acid which is present as the primary structural components in the human brain, the cerebral cortex, retina of the eye and skin. DHA could be obtained from different sources which include maternal milk, fish oil or oil from specific types of algae.

It also could be synthesized from alpha-linolenic acid, which is one of the two essential fatty acids that cannot be synthesized within the body. This mechanism is utilized mostly by herbivores and carnivores that don’t depend on any seafood dietary sources. Alpha-linolenic acid is basically synthesized in plants and is a short omega-3 fatty acid. Animals that obtain lesser amounts of seafood have the ability in producing DHA through metabolic pathways at lower quantities.

Fish and other multicellular organisms acquire DHA through photosynthetic microalgae which are heterotrophic that is present as oceanic dietary sources. The concentration of DHA increases along the food chains in those ecosystems. Crypthecodinium cohnii and Schizochytrium are different types of microalgae that involve in the commercial production of DHA. Since the DHA is synthesized using plant-based resources, it is 100% vegetarian.

In the context of brain and retina of the eye, DHA is present as the most abundant omega-3 fatty acid. 60 % of the brain’s total unsaturated fatty acids are present as DHA whilst in the retina; it is 40%. The best source of DHA for humans during infancy is obtained from maternal milk through breastfeeding. Breast milk possesses the highest percentage of DHA compared to any other source.  At later stages of development of humans, DHA is obtained through the diet.

What is the Similarity Between DHEA and DHA?

• Both are involved in the development processes of the human body.

What is the Difference Between DHEA and DHA?

Summary – DHEA vs DHA 

DHEA is an endogenous steroid hormone. It is mainly synthesized in the adrenal glands, brain and in the gonads. DHEA is present as an important component of the central nervous system which functions in the development and excitation of neurons. DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid. DHA is synthesized by modified Escherichia coli, alpha-linolenic acid and through photosynthetic microalgae Crypthecodinium cohnii and Schizochytrium.  Both compounds are involved in the different specific development and regulatory processes of the body. This is the difference between DHEA and DHA.

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Reference:

1.“DHEA Background.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 1 July 2014. Available here 
2.Bjarnadottir, Adda. “DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid): A Detailed Review.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 29 June 2016. Available here

Image Courtesy:

1.’Dehydroepiandrosterone to testololactone’ By AaronRosenbloom – Own work, (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
2.’DHA’By X1987x~commonswiki assumed Own work assumed (based on copyright claims). (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia