Odwalla Soymilk Highlights Vegetarian Martek DHA for Brain and Eye Health

23/02/06 Martek Biosciences has announced that its Martek DHA is featured in the new Odwalla Soymilk, the first soymilk in the U.S. to contain the omega-3 fatty acid Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA). Numerous scientific studies have shown DHA to be vital for brain and eye development in infants and for ongoing brain and eye function in adults. With 32 mg of vegetarian source DHA per 8 fl. oz. serving, which is 20% of the 160 mg Daily Value for DHA, Odwalla Soymilk is considered an excellent source of DHA.

Odwalla Soymilk with Martek DHA offers a great-tasting way for people to get DHA in their diets. Odwalla Soymilk comes in a 1/2 gallon, gable top container and is available in three varieties including Plain, Vanilla Being and Choc-ahh-lot.

DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid that serves as a primary building block for the brain and the eye. Just like calcium is essential for building strong bones, DHA is vital for optimal brain and eye function. Yet, despite its importance, natural food sources of DHA are limited primarily to fatty fish, making it difficult for many people to get enough DHA in their diets.

"DHA is a major deficiency in the American diet because dietary sources are primarily limited to fish. Yet, it is a lifetime nutrient that plays a crucial role in brain development in infants and ongoing brain and eye function in children and adults," stated prominent neurologist and author Dr. David Perlmutter. "Odwalla Soymilk with Martek DHA offers consumers an alternate way to get more of this critical nutrient, as well other key nutrients such as calcium and fiber."

Martek also produces DHA that is the only DHA accepted by the U.S. FDA for use in infant formula and is currently found in more than 75% of all U.S. formulas. Made from algae under tightly controlled manufacturing conditions, Martek DHA is free of oceanic contaminants that may be present in certain fish or fish oils. Algae is the only plant source of DHA. Other plant sources of omega-3s, such as flax seed, walnuts and certain vegetable oils, are sources of omega-3's, but do not contain DHA, the omega-3 that supports brain and eye development and function.