Dehydroacetic Acid
Also known as: DHA, 520-45-6 (CAS number), Sodium Dehydroacetate, 4418-26-2 (CAS number for sodium salt), Dehydroacetic Acid
Overview
Dehydroacetic acid (DHA) is a synthetic compound primarily utilized as a preservative in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and various industrial applications. It is not a naturally occurring substance and is valued for its antimicrobial properties, which help prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi in products. Unlike other compounds with similar acronyms, such as DHEA or docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), dehydroacetic acid is not used as a dietary supplement. Research on DHA mainly focuses on its environmental impact, biodegradability, and safety in topical applications rather than its potential health benefits when ingested. The available evidence supports its role as an effective preservative, but there is a lack of studies examining its effects as a dietary supplement.
Benefits
There is no substantial evidence to support the use of dehydroacetic acid as a dietary supplement for health benefits. Its primary and well-documented role is as a preservative in cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. Therefore, no specific health benefits can be attributed to its use as a dietary supplement.
How it works
As dehydroacetic acid is not used as a dietary supplement, there is limited information available on how it interacts with biological pathways in the human body when ingested. Its mechanism of action is primarily related to its antimicrobial properties, which involve disrupting the growth of microorganisms in products where it is used as a preservative. There is no significant data on its absorption, bioavailability, or specific molecular targets related to dietary supplementation.
Side effects
Given that dehydroacetic acid is not commonly used as a dietary supplement, there is a lack of data on its potential side effects when ingested. The available safety assessments primarily focus on its use in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, where it is generally considered safe within established concentration limits. However, the safety profile for dietary consumption is not well-established, and potential adverse effects are largely unknown. Therefore, it is not possible to provide a comprehensive list of side effects, drug interactions, or contraindications related to its use as a dietary supplement.
Dosage
There are no established dosing guidelines for dehydroacetic acid as a dietary supplement, as it is not typically used for this purpose. Therefore, no recommended dosage ranges, timing considerations, or upper limits can be provided. Any potential use as a dietary supplement would require extensive research to determine safe and effective dosages.
FAQs
Is dehydroacetic acid safe to consume as a supplement?
There is limited data on the safety of dehydroacetic acid as a dietary supplement. It is primarily used as a preservative in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and its safety for ingestion has not been well-studied.
What are the expected health benefits of taking dehydroacetic acid?
There are no expected health benefits from using dehydroacetic acid as a supplement. It is not intended for dietary use, and there is no evidence to support any health benefits when ingested.
How is dehydroacetic acid different from DHEA or DHA?
Dehydroacetic acid is different from DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). DHEA is a hormone, and DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid, both with different uses and effects compared to dehydroacetic acid, which is a preservative.
Research Sources
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31237150/ – This study investigates novel cosmetic preservative systems, including those incorporating dehydroacetic acid. It focuses on the efficacy and safety of these systems in cosmetic formulations but does not address the use of dehydroacetic acid as a dietary supplement.
- https://www.industrialchemicals.gov.au/sites/default/files/Dehydroacetic%20acid%20preservatives_%20Environment%20tier%20II%20assessment.pdf – This environmental assessment examines the environmental impact and biodegradability of dehydroacetic acid preservatives. It provides insights into its use in industrial applications and its environmental fate but does not cover its potential as a dietary supplement.
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32060571/ – This research explores the use of preservatives in cosmetics and personal care products, including dehydroacetic acid. The study focuses on the safety and regulatory aspects of these preservatives in topical applications but does not address their use as dietary supplements.
- https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/aging-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2022.966933/full – This article discusses various compounds and their potential neuroprotective effects, but it does not include dehydroacetic acid. Therefore, it is not relevant to the use of dehydroacetic acid as a dietary supplement.
- https://www.cir-safety.org/sites/default/files/Sodium%20Dehydroacetate.pdf – This safety assessment by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) Expert Panel focuses on the safety of sodium dehydroacetate in cosmetics. It evaluates its potential for skin irritation and sensitization but does not address its use or safety as a dietary supplement.
