Essential Fatty Acids I: Development, Behavior, Cognition
When I was a kid, Mom made sure I got my daily dose of cod liver oil. It certainly wasn’t my favorite thing, but it seemed to keep me healthy and protected me against more serious cases of the usual childhood problems. Kids today may actually enjoy talking fish oil liquids such as NOW’s molecularly distilled Omega-3 Fish Oil (#1659) with its pleasant lemony taste. Older children and adults may prefer the Omega-3 Fish Oil soft gel capsules (#1650). These products do not contain vitamins A and D that a child might be already getting in a multivitamin.
Fish Oil benefits come from two long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs): eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA). It turns out DHA is the most important fatty acid for helping prevent and alleviate behavioral and attention issues. The story begins before birth . . . .
DHA and Brain Development
Expectant mothers who eat enough omega-3 fats late in pregnancy may give their babies a brain-power boost. Scientists at Wayne State University in Detroit found that babies whose cord blood contained high DHA concentration had more optimal visual, cognitive, and motor development at six and eleven months than their breastfed counterparts.1 Yet, pregnant women get less DHA than they need.2 It now appears that supplementing during the last trimester of pregnancy may be extremely important in giving infants a jump start.
Supplementing with DHA has been reported to extend gestation, which in turn might reduce premature birth.1 The Western diet, which is characterized by a high intake of omega-6 fatty acids and a low intake of omega-3s, may reduce platelet aggregation and vasoconstriction – both prominent features of pre-eclampsia.3 Eating fatty fish is one of the best ways to get DHA but there are safety concerns of potential toxins in fish such as mercury, polychlorinated biphenyls, and dioxins.4 Experts advise that taking fish oil supplements certified to be GMP may be the best for mom and baby.5
A Smart Start
Breastfeeding is acknowledged to be best for baby because it confers protection against gastro-intestinal illness and bolsters immunity.6 It has also been increasingly recognized how important breast milk is in brain development and behavior.7 Early breast milk is rich in DHA and arachidonic acid (AA) – both needed to configure the infant brain and visual apparatus.8,9
After the first weeks postnatal, mom’s body shifts to producing more DHA and less AA. The infant brain begins actively developing neuronal pathways associated with learning and that require more DHA. In other words, baby is now engaged in “wiring the circuitry. Recent studies have provided evidence that DHA is involved in dopamine and serotonin.10 For the reasons given above, insufficient DHA and AA may produce more pronounced effects in infants born prematurely.11
Breast feeding also affects a baby’s attainment of gross motor milestones such as crawling and walking. It has been shown that infants who were never breastfed are 50% more likely to have gross motor delay – regardless of socioeconomic factors. By contrast, fine motor skill (learning) delay might also be explained by biological, socioeconomic, and psychosocial factors.12
The DHA status of breast-fed infants is higher than that of formula-fed infants and numerous studies have shown that cognitive development and visual acuity of breast-fed infants is better than that of their formula-fed counterparts.13 Breastfeeding mothers are encouraged to supplement with DHA to maximize their baby’s development and lifelong health and restore mom’s depleted brain reserves. It’s that important! But what if mom can’t breastfeed?
Non-breastfeeding moms can now choose among several formulas containing AA and DHA in the specific ratios found in human milk. These formulas have been found to support visual and cognitive development through 39 months of age and beyond.14 Other studies have shown that supplementing formulas with DHA and AA for the first year improves visual acuity and multiple indices of development, as well.15
ADHD and Developmental Delay Disorders
While it is clear that DHA plays an important role in fetal and infant brain, visual and developmental milestones, what about older children with developmental delay disorders and children and adults with attention deficits? Is it too late for nutrition and supplements to
have an effect?
Next month, I will present a brief summary of my 30-Day Drug-Free Plan for nutritional support for ADHD. You can read the full program in The A.D.D. Nutrition Solution published by Henry Holt & Company, New York. This book has changed the lives of thousands and it may be the resource you have been waiting for.
References:
1 Jacobson, J.L.; et al; “Beneficial Effects of a Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid on Infant Development: Evidence from the Inuit of Arctic Quebec” J Pediatr. 2008;152:356-64
2 Inis, S.M.; Elias, S.L.; “Intakes of Essential n-6 and n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Among Pregnant Canadian Women” Am J Clin Nutr 2003;77:473-8
3 Velzing-Aarts, F.V.; et al; “Unbilical Vessels of Preeclamptic Women Have Low contents of Both n-3 and n-6 Long-chain Polyunsaturated fatty Acids” Am J Clin Nutr 1999; 69:293-8
4 Mozaffarian, D.; Rimm, E.F.’ “Fish Intake, Contaminants, and Human Health: Evaluating the Risks and the Benefits” JAMA 2008;296:1885-1899
5 Bay, H.E.; “Safety Considerations with Omega-3 Fatty Acid Therapy” Am J Cardiol 2007;99:35C-43C
6 Howie, P.W.; et al; “Protective Effect of Breast Feeding Against Infection” BMJ 1990;300:11-16
7 Slykerman, R.F.; et al; “Breastfeeding and Intelligence of Preschool Children” Acta Paediatr 2005;94:832-7
8 Connor, W.E.; et al; “Essential Fatty Acids: The Importance of n-3 Fatty Acids in the Retina and Brain” Nut. Rev. 1992;50:21-29
9 Gibson, R.A.; Makrides, M.; “Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Breast Milk: Are They Essential?” Adv Exp Med Biol 2001;501:375-83
10 Innis, S.M.; “The Role of Dietary n-6 and n-3 Fatty Acids in the Developing Brain” Dev Neurosci 2000;22:474-80
11 Agostoni, C.; “Small-for-Gestational-age Infants need dietary quality More Than Quantity for Their Development: the Role of Human Milk” Acta Paediatr 2005;94:827-9
12 Sacker, A.; et al; “Breastfeeding and Developmental Delay: Findings From the Millennium Cohort Study” Pediatrics 2005;118:e682-e689
13 Fleith, M.; Clandinin, M.T.; “Dietary PUFA for Preterm and Term Infants: Review of Clinical Studies” Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2005;45:205-29
14 Auestad, N.; et al; “Visual, Cognitive, and Language Assessment at 39 Months: A Follow-up Study of Children Fed Formulas Containing Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids to 1 year of age” Pediatrics 2003;112:e177-e183
15 O’Connor, D.L.; et al; “Growth and Development in Preterm Infants Fed Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial” Pediatrics 2001;108:359-371
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