Does DHA help children to be smarter?

If you have experienced infant feeding, you will not be unfamiliar with the concept of DHA. Most prenatal nutritional supplements are advertised for an omega-3 fatty acid called DHA. But few of us know, in fact, despite decades of research, the evidence for DHA in infant formula improves brainpower in children is unclear. And it is not necessarily necessary for mothers to supplement DHA during pregnancy.

Why DHA is added to nutritious food?

DHA is named Docosa Hexaenoic Acid, an omega-3 fatty acid. In addition, this group also contains DHA prefixes, alpha-linolenic (ALA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). In addition, omega-6 fatty acids (arachidonic acid-AA). DHA is a very important substance, but the body does not synthesize itself, but it has to be taken from food sources. DHA is essential for the nervous system, especially the development of visual function. In children, DHA plays a role in enhancing intelligence. In adults, it has the effect of reducing triglycerides and bad cholesterol, which helps prevent atherosclerosis, heart attack. During pregnancy and early life, DHA accumulates in the brain, the retina of the eye and plays an important role in neurodevelopment and vision. Breast milk contains DHA at different concentrations, depending on the amount of fat in the mother's diet. Some DHA can also be produced in the body from pre-omega-3 fatty acids, although this process may seem ineffective.

Studies from the 1990s showed infant formula had a lower DHA than breast milk and recommended the addition of DHA to milk to improve cognitive and optic development. In 2002, the results were convincing enough for the US Food and Drug Administration to allow the addition of DHA to infant formula. Today, all major powdered milk brands sold in the United States contain DHA, usually in the form of algae-derived pure oil, is an additional ingredient that increases the cost of milk.