Ever wondered why docosahexaenoic acid, which is popularly known as DHA, comes as an essential part of most infant formulations sold in stores today? This is because the World Health Organization has recommended that this component be included in such products, and if you are asking why, the answer is pretty simple. DHA and brain development are so deeply linked that the former has been branded with the title “The Brain Food.”
Perhaps you remember, from your early science lessons, that DHA is the number one building block of the brain and the eye’s retina. The brain is 60% fat, and the dominating essential fatty acid (EFA) is the DHA fatty acid which makes up 25% to 35%.
On the other hand, the retina has more of the DHA component since the concentration begins from 50% and reaches up to 60%. This DHA fish oil fatty acid reaches the fetus through the placenta, and is found in breast milk that the newborn baby is certainly going to be fed.
Research found that the involvement of DHA in the pregnancy stage and in the first few months of birth hastens the development of the cerebral cortex and the eyes. Needless to say, DHA is very important to a properly developing fetus.
In line with this, studies done about DHA and brain development in the University of Queensland suggest that most babies who are breast-fed have better IQ levels than those who are not. So, the DHA fish oil brain food then is seen as a component that promotes an intellectual advantage in the early stages of life.
Additionally, the fatty acid promotes better and faster development of language use among children, and also finer motor movements. Nevertheless, the advantages of DHA are not limited to the younger sector of society. Evidences show that the acid keeps the brain healthy until old age by preventing mental disorders and memory loss.
As noted, the link between DHA and brain development are getting much attention from manufacturers of infant formulas. Actually, if you look carefully now, DHA is so popular that no infant formula could be called infant formula if it has no DHA in its list of perks.
Make no mistake about it, knowing the best source of dha fatty acid is extremely important and necessary to live a healthy life. So keep on researching and find the best fish oil supplement available to added into your diet, because fish oil brain food brings many more benefits essential for your health and well-being.
