DHA crucial for brain development

The early years is when a child needs DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) for optimal brain development. This doesn't start when the child begins preschool. It actually starts from the time the child is in the mother's womb – from the third trimester.

Loo Mei Fong, Senior Nutritionist from Dutch Lady, explains that DHA is actually an omega-3 fatty acid found in fatty fish such as salmon and tuna. It can also be found in flaxseed oil and canola oil.
 

“DHA is responsible for optimal brain development. We know that the brain grows very fast from the third trimester while the baby is still in the womb up till the time the baby reaches two years old.

“That's why it is important that DHA is provided during this time,” she says.

According to Loo, a DHA-rich diet has been shown to improve the attention span, behaviour and cognitive function in children. It has also been shown to improve the learning ability of children.

“Children's diet generally varies in terms of the DHA provision. So, for children who don't take much fish or don't like fish, DHA supplementation is recommended.

“Actually, DHA is one of the fatty acids that children don't necessarily have to get from food. They can also get it from omega-3 supplements. It has been shown that the conversion of the fatty acid is not very great in children (less than 0.5% absorption), that is why it is important to obtain additional DHA,” says Loo.

Milk would be a good way to get DHA. Another way is fish.

How about pregnant women? Loo explains that pregnant mothers should start taking DHA, especially from the third trimester onwards.

Loo who is now pregnant explains that she herself started taking DHA from the time she was in the first trimester.

The recommended dosage for DHA + EPA for pregnant women is 350mg while for children over one year old, the adequate intake of DHA is 100mg a day.

“I believe there are no studies to show the effect on the child if the mother doesn't take additional DHA during pregnancy. However, there are studies to show that DHA supplementation during pregnancy actually helps to improve the child's academic achievement later in life.

“The studies show positive brain development for children up to the age of four.

“Actually, it is recommended that children get DHA supplementation right up to the age of 18 years. But at that age it should be up to 250mg of DHA + EPA,” says Loo.

She explains that one portion of fish in a meal might only contain 15mg so the child will need to supplement it with more DHA.

If the mother is breastfeeding then the child can get the DHA through the breast milk if the mother is taking DHA-rich food as well as taking DHA supplements.

“So far, I have not seen any studies on the complications from having too much DHA. Generally, we are more concerned that they are not getting adequate DHA,” she says.

How much of a difference does DHA make in terms of the child's grades?

Loo explains that there are many factors that come into play when talking about a child's intelligence. These include exposure, stimulation and the environment.

“As a parent, I'm sure every parent wants to provide the platform in terms of diet as you know that is something which will help. So, I'm sure every parent will want to provide the optimum platform for their child's brain to grow at the optimal capacity,” she says.

Having a balanced diet, exercising, cutting down on sugar and artificial colourings and preservatives will help in the child's overall development – brain as well as physical

“Iron, iodine and other things are also important for a child's brain development. Every nutrient is important. However, when it comes to brain growth, the reason why there is so much emphasis on DHA is because it is the primary structural component of the brain tissue,” she adds.

Because DHA is the main structural component of the brain tissue, it actually plays a role in maintaining the fluidity of the membrane. When the message is passed from one neuron to another neuron, it is through the neurotransmitter. How DHA works is that it helps in increasing the fluidity of the membrane and therefore it helps the neurotransmitter receptor to work better and therefore helping the message to transfer better.

“Other nutrients are also important, of course. If the child's diet is lacking in one of the other nutrients, it will also affect the child's brain development,” informs Loo.