Knowing the role of DHA for brain development is necessary for you to help holistic growth of your child
The feeling is priceless, when you see your little bundle of joy grow up all hale and hearty. Moments like their quick responses, inquisitiveness and non-stop agility are something you don’t want to miss. There are some other factors that you might not want to ignore because they determine the perfection of the picture. For instance, providing your child with essential nutrients can add to your joys as essential fatty acids, DHA in particular plays a crucial role in the development of your child’s brain.
DHA is essential for the growth and functional development of the brain in children. Its availability is crucial for brain development as it is the predominant fatty acid in the central nervous system and the retina.
Nutritionists say that the Intake of DHA and EFAs during preschool years may also help prevent ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) and enable learning capacity and academic performance.
Most part of the growth of the human brain is completed by the age of 5-6 years. Experts suggest that therefore it is very important that for kids aged between 1-6 years of age, the diet should consist of DHA rich foods like oily fishes and seeds. Apart from mother’s milk, DHA is also present in fishes like tuna, salmon and mackerel. DHA is also present in meat and eggs in low quantities. Besides, the DHA requirements of infants are met whey they are breast fed.
However, it is difficult to get DHA through common foods and many children are vegetarian and not fed sea food. Hence, they can be given DHA in supplemental form such as DHA fortified milk formulas.
- From birth to 6 years of age brain cell connections increase from 50 trillion to 1000 trillion
- In a child’s brain, the DHA accumulates in the largest lobe called frontal lobe which is responsible for memory, speech and emotions
- DHA represents nearly 60% of the retina (eye) and around 25% of the dry weight of the brain
- Large amounts of DHA accumulate in the brain early and rapidly influencing brain function and cognition
