THE IMPORTANT OF DHA AND ARA FOR BABY
Nutrient is one of the most important think affect to the growth of baby and
also important to give the energy and the essential nutrient for espouse the
brain development. As we know, the other supplement that impact to human development
is what we call Choline and Omega-3, both of it permeate through placenta and
breastfeeding mother.
The purpose of Choline have very important role for brain
development, and also other part of body. The lack of Choline could cause detain
of brain development, which potentially less kognitif ability and behaviour
for a long time effect.
What is DHA ?
DHA is docosa-hexaenoic acid. DHA is a particular kind of fatty acid.
You can think of a fatty acid as being a building block of fat. Imagine a key-ring
with three keys on it. You can think of the individual keys as fatty acids,
and the combination of the three connected by a key-ring to be a unit of fat.
Just as keys come in many different lengths, sizes, and styles, fatty acids
can too. So, DHA is simply a specific kind of "key" on the key ring.
What is ARA ?
ARA is stands for arachidonic acid. Like DHA, ARA also fatty acids are building
blocks for baby's brain and eyes.
How Important is DHA for brain development?
Consider these research findings:
- Infants who have low amounts of DHA in their diet have reduced brain development
and diminished visual acuity.
- The increased intelligence and academic performance of breastfed compared
with formula- fed infants has been attributed in part to the increased DHA
content of human milk.
- Cultures whose diet is high in omega 3 fatty acids (such as the Eskimos
who eat a lot of fish) have a lower incidence of degenerative diseases of
the central nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis.
- Experimental animals whose diets are low in DHA have been found to have
smaller brains and delayed central nervous system development.
- Some children with poor school performance because of ADD, have been shown
to have insufficient essential fatty acids in their diet. (See A.D.D. - A
Nutritional Deficiency?)
DHA Food Sources
The best sources of DHA are: seafood, algae, and especially coldwater fish.
Omega-3 fatty acids are nature's antifreeze. In general, the colder the water,
the higher the omega-3 content in the fish oil. Popular sources of DHA are:
salmon, sardines, and tuna. Eggs and organ meats have a small amount of DHA
in them, but the healthiest source of dietary DHA is seafood. Two 4-ounce servings
of omega-3-rich fish per week should yield a sufficient amount of omega-3 fatty
acids, especially DHA. Besides fish oils, vegetable oils (primarily flaxseed,
soy, and canola) are also rich sources of omega 3 fatty acids, with flaxseed
oil being the best. The two F's, fish and flax, are the top brain-building foods
for growing children, and adults.
I shoot for 1,500 milligrams a week. To insure this amount, I eat at least
four 4-ounce servings of fresh or frozen salmon or tuna each week.
Do levels of DHA & ARA matter?
Studies that have shown support for the positive effect of an enriched DHA
& ARA formula on babies' brain and eye development were conducted with formulas
enriched at levels in line with those specified by the World Health Organization
(WHO).
More Sources of DHA & ARA
These essential fatty acids can be found in the foods you eat. For example,
DHA (an omega-3 type of fatty acid) is concentrated in the oils of cold-water
ocean fish such as tuna, salmon, mackerel and sardines. ARA (an omega-6 fatty
acid) is found in dairy products, meat, and eggs.
Throughout your third trimester of pregnancy, you pass DHA & ARA to your
baby through the placenta. Some experts believe that these fatty acids are associated
with the development of an infant's brain and her eventual ability to learn,
judge and concentrate. And since Baby's tissues continue to develop after birth,
it's just as important to maintain the level of these nutrients throughout infancy.
Naturally, these nutrients are also passed on to Baby through breastmilk. (Levels
of DHA & ARA in a woman's breastmilk vary depending on how much she eats
of the foods containing the fatty acids, which is why a healthy diet is so important.)
Babies who are formula-fed can make DHA & ARA from the fatty acids (linolenic
acid and linoleic acid) found in standard iron-fortified formulas. Some studies
have shown that infant formulas enriched with DHA & ARA can provide additional
benefits for infants' brain and eye development.
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