Do babies need to make up for DHA

Do babies  need DHA?

The simple answer is, yes. DHA plays a very important role in the development of the baby’s brain and retina. The effects of DHA on children’s brain development and behavior are as follows:

1. DHA can promote the formation of neural networks, accelerate the release of neurotransmitters and transmit information; and can obviously repair the injured brain cells. In the last three months of pregnancy, the fetal brain DHA will increase by 3 to 5 times.
2. DHA is an important component of the retina. When DHA is deficient, visual function is impaired, which is manifested as delayed development of visual acuity and prolonged fixation time for light signal stimulation, which affects the baby’s ability to respond and observe. 
3. The children who supplemented DHA during 0 to 6 years of age  have significantly improved abilities in cognition, language, sports, etc. compared with other children. This is because DHA is deficient, the division and proliferation of fetal brain cells will be impaired.

Do pregnant women need to supplement DHA

During pregnancy, the amount of DHA in pregnant women is not enough to supply the fetus’s demand and miss the strong period of fetal brain development. 

1. Supplementing a sufficient amount of DHA  can prolong the pregnancy of pregnant women by an average of 1.6-2.6 days.
2. A sufficient DHA will reduce the incidence of postpartum depression
3. DHA inhibits the formation of pro-inflammatory substances, so it has anti-inflammatory effects.
4. DHA can reduce triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood and prevent cardiovascular diseases.
5. DHA also has anti-aging and moisturizing effects on the skin

When to supplement DHA

It is found that the fetal brain development starts from the third week of pregnancy and the eye  development starts from the fourth week, and DHA is an important component of the brain and retina, so the expectant mother  can add DHA in the third week of pregnancy.

6 months-2 years old is the most rapid age for baby growth and development, DHA can produce a large number of vital hormones that promote the baby’s brain  development.

What food contains DHA

1. The content of DHA in breast milk  is particularly rich in DHA. 
2. Any fish with shiny fish scales and a blue back contains DHA, lecithin , and unsaturated fatty acids-omega-3 which is important for the normal development of the brain and eyes.
3. Kelp is rich in linoleic acid, lecithin and the sulfonic substances in seaweed and other seaweed foods are indispensable in the brain.
4. Flaxseed oil, soy sauce, and canola oil is also a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids.
5. The α-linolenic acid containing dried fruits such as walnuts can be converted into DHA in the human body.
6. Fish oil capsules, deep sea fish oil extract contains DHA.
7. Soybeans or soy products can enhance memory, and are also a beneficial food for cardiovascular patients.
8. Egg yolk is rich in lecithin, triglycerides, cholesterol and vitellogenin.