 |
DHA, docosahexaenoic acid, is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid that may provide health benefits for
people of all ages. DHA omega-3 is found throughout the body. Specifically, it is a major structural
fat found in the brain and retina accounting for up to 97% of the omega-3 fatty acids in the brain and
up to 93% of the omega-3 fatty acids in the retina. DHA omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown
to support babies’ cardiovascular, eye, and brain development.
While breastmilk is a natural source of DHA, supplemented infant formula has been shown to be a
good source of this nutrient for formula-fed babies. In fact, clinical studies involving infants who
were fed formula supplemented with DHA at recommended levels show promising results:
• In the May 2008 issue of the Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, a study
suggested that long-term DHA and ARA* supplementation may have important implications for
immune development and antigen sensitivity in children.
• The study in Pediatrics, June 2008 issue concluded that supplementation in the early neonatal
period with DHA and ARA* in very pre-term, breast-fed infants was associated with better
recognition memory and higher problem-solving scores at 6 months.
• The Journal of Nutrition, April 2007 issue, reported that there is a demonstrated importance of
DHA for brain function, which provides strong evidence that DHA is important for human brain
development.
DHA is well known among new parents as an important nutrient, but until recently it has been limited
to infant formula. Nature’s Goodness® Step 2’s with DHA were developed for the continued support of your little one’s health and growth.
Between birth and five years of age, the human brain increases approximately 3.5 times in mass. It
is important that children consume adequate amounts of DHA in their diet to support this period of
rapid brain and eye development.
During this time, solid foods begin to replace formula or breast milk. Nature’s Goodness® Step 2
with DHA can help achieve the recommended levels of DHA to continue the support of
brain, visual, and central nervous system development. All of the delicious varieties of Nature’s
Goodness® DHA products contain 18mg of DHA per serving.
*ARA or arachidonic acid is an omega-6 essential fatty acid. |
|
|
|