DHA and ARA For The Babies!

http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/092208p66.shtml

The Role of DHA and ARA in Infant Nutrition and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes.

By Ana Abad-Jorge

DHA, a 22 carbon fatty acid, and ARA, a 20 carbon fatty acid, are key to the development of brains in newborns.  During the last trimester to age two a babies brain develops rapidly, and the amount of DHA the baby intakes plays a major role in brain health.  DHA is naturally found in breast milk because of its important role in the babies body.  Higher levels of DHA that occur from either natural breast milk or supplemented formula increases the amount of DHA in red blood cells.  Studies have shown this additional DHA in beneficial for eye health because of the impact on the brain.  When babies were put through tests for evaluate their cognitive ability the ones with higher levels of DHA and ARA in their brains performed higher.  Because of the multiple health benefits to babies of having DHA and ARA in their system, the intake of mothers should be regulated.  Increasing the intake of foods like salmon, that are high in the fatty acids, will  benefit their babies health. 

As we have seen again and again, the health of people is very dependent on fatty acids.  Fatty acids play a key role in many different systems of the body especially with brain health.  Many of my colleagues have found research showing the impact of fatty acids, more specifically omega-3s, on brain health at all stages of life.  Including the impact the DHA in Omega-3s has on preventing dementia.  So as it can be seen, fatty acids can help with brain health from before you are born and to your death.