DHA baby brainDHA and Baby Brain Development The omega 3 fatty acid known as DHA (docohexaenoic acid) is one of the major building blocks of the brain and is critical for optimum brain development in infants. Many doctors are recommending for babies, expectant mothers and breastfeeding mothers to take in enough levels of DHA through fish sources or through omega 3 fish oil supplements. If we look at labels of infant formulas today, you will notice that almost all of them now contain amounts of the omega 3 fatty acid DHA. This is because some research studies have found a connection between DHA and baby brain development. It is important for parents to know more about this important connection.
What is DHA anyway? DHA is an important omega 3 fatty acid. The brain is composed of 60% fat by weight, and DHA and other omega 3 fatty acids are the "good fats." These good fats are important in proper brain development, but the body is not capable of producing them naturally. This means that they have to be taken in from our daily dietary intake. Many research studies have indicated that a positive connection exists between intake of omega 3 fatty acids, especially DHA, and healthy cognitive function and overall brain development. In the case of infants in-utero, brain development is most rapid during the last trimester of the pregnancy. This critical brain development continues during the first two years after the baby is born. During this time, the child's neurological development is helped by a healthy dietary intake, especially of omega 3 oils. Developing babies need DHA for proper growth of neuronal cells and other brain structures. Studies also suggest that sufficient DHA helps promote a healthy nervous system, as well as healthy cognitive and visual functions. DHA and Breast Milk Breast milk boosts brain growth in babies because it contains high levels of DHA. DHA is in fact the main reason why breastfeeding is shown to increase the intelligence of a child. Of course, this is provided that the breastfeeding mother eats a healthy diet, and eats foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids. The DHA levels in breast milk vary accordingly, depending on the diet of the mother. DHA for pregnant mothers It is then important for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers to consume proper amounts of omega 3 fatty acids. It has been suggested that increased fish consumption of the mother may help promote healthy cognitive development, along with breastfeeding. Consuming higher levels of omega 3 fatty acids have also been found to potentially help to ward off postpartum depression in some instances, which might otherwise be developed because of lowered levels of DHA. Since your baby is drawing out a lot of DHA from the mother, she will need to take in omega-3 rich foods for her own good. Considering the connection between DHA and baby brain development, does it mean that low levels of DHA can lead to improper brain development? Unfortunately yes it might mean that in some cases. It is then important for mothers and babies alike to get sufficient sources of DHA and other omega-3 fatty acids. While newborn babies can find high amounts of DHA in their milk formula, expectant and breastfeeding mothers can take in sufficient omega 3 from their dietary intake or through fish oil supplements. These statements are not medical advice and have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease. See an amazing free video and report about what my search found to be the best pure concentrated fish oil. Why not have the kind that is a more pure and more concentrated, and has more DHA and EPA and more Omega-3 and more of everything you want from the supplement? That is the kind you want to know more about, the best fish oil that I take myself after trying every kind I could find. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Susan_Goodwin
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