The benefits of DHA & EPA on your baby's developmentAbstract: Babies require DHA as it is an essential nutrient for the development of the body’s organ systems. While particularly important for the development of a baby’s neural (brain), and eye health, DHA also benefits immune, and cardiovascular health, while also increasing fertility in couples intending upon becoming pregnant. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, a baby’s mother is the sole source of this nutrient. Higher levels of DHA is linked to improved neural and eye development, as well as a lower risk of experiencing allergies. In contrast, a child whose mother consumed lower levels of DHA during pregnancy and breastfeeding is more likely to experience behavioural and learning problems, including symptoms associated with ADD/ADHD. KEYWORDS: Procare, pregnancy, breast feeding, pregnant, fish oil, DHA, omega-3 The most important thing for parents is the care and development of their child. For a child to develop optimally, research has shown that a good source of nutrition is required throughout the foetal growth phase, and well into childhood.
The nutritional source starts with the mother 12 months prior to conception. If the soon to be expectant mother maintains optimal health prior to and throughout pregnancy, as well as throughout breastfeeding, they are not only going to increase their chances of conceiving, but also their child will more likely get a better start in life. Optimal health of course, requires good nutrition. Apart from folic acid, arguably the most essential of nutrients a mother and her baby require are omega-3 fatty acids such as EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). While EPA is important, DHA is considered to be more crucial, due to growth requirements and also its availability [2,4]. Adults can obtain DHA and EPA through the conversion of alpha-linoleic acid (ALA), a fatty acid present in vegetable oils. Unfortunately however, this process is very inefficient. Fish oils provide a much more reliable, direct source of DHA and EPA [6]. For optimal conditions for conception, growth and development [7] in the foetal and infant stages of life, a good source of DHA is required from three months prior to conception [2]. DHA and EPA are both major active constituents of omega-3 fatty acids. DHA however, forms a major component of cell membranes in neural and eye tissue, being essential for mental performance [4,6] and visual acuity [9,10]. DHA is the predominant fatty acid in the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord), found in the structural walls of brain cells. Amazingly, the foetal brain is 60% lipids or fatty tissue, of which 40% is DHA [4]. A baby requires a large increase in DHA uptake in utero which in turn corresponds to an increase in cerebral DHA content during pregnancy and in the months after birth. This is demonstrated at birth, where the baby's brain weight is about 70% of an adult's brain weight; while 15% of brain growth occurs during infancy and the pre-school years [5]. DHA is important throughout this period of development [1]. DHA is found in even greater concentrations in the retina, where it contributes to 60% of the fatty acid content [2]. Research has shown that when the growing baby receives DHA throughout pregnancy and breastfeeding, circulating levels of DHA are higher, which can help to maintain healthy eye development and visual acuity [3,9,10]. As mentioned, DHA is critical in brain health and function [1], with a major role in cognitive ability, learning, memory and behaviour. Evidence suggests that children that have a higher intake of DHA through their mothers during pregnancy and breastfeeding are less at risk of experiencing cognitive [5] and behavioural problems, and have less risk of suffering mood disorders [4,7], including symptoms associated with depression and Attention-Deficit Disorder (ADD/ADHD) [2,6]. For instance, DHA and EPA intake in mothers while pregnant and breastfeeding has been shown to correlate positively with intelligence in children [8]. Obviously the mother's nutritional status is a major factor that contributes to a healthy infant birth weight and adequate amounts of DHA in the body have been associated with improving the length of time a foetus remains in the womb to develop [3]. DHA and EPA are known to help maintain a healthy cardiovascular system [12], therefore contributing to the maintenance of a healthy placental blood supply to the growing foetus, providing the oxygen and nutrients required. While DHA is particularly important, EPA is also essential. EPA is crucial for brain development and function (cell signaling), becoming increasingly significant for children after birth for learning ability and concentration. Important for good eye sight [9], EPA also improves cardiovascular health [12], improving blood circulation and providing long term vascular health benefits [12,13], reducing the risk of cardiovascular events later in life. EPA is also involved in hormone and mood regulation, stimulates growth, and assists immunity by reducing the prevalence of cough in atopic and asthmatic symptoms in children [11]. Again EPA provides benefits later in life, improving or reducing the risk of skin conditions and arthritis. As a child grows and matures, the high demand for DHA, and to a lesser extent, EPA continues [1]. Population (epidemiologic) surveys and clinical studies indicate that adults in middle age or older who have more DHA cell membrane content are at a lower risk of experiencing a cardiovascular events [12] such as a heart attack or stroke, as well as reduced risk of suffering accelerated brain decline and progression to dementia [5]. So, all adults should consume DHA and EPA. DHA in particular assists in maintaining a balanced life, enabling people to better cope with the stresses of work and family. Omega-3 fatty acids assist with menstrual, menopausal and fertility problems [14]. Further, the intake of DHA is associated with reduced risk of age–related macular degeneration (AMD)[9,10]. DHA and EPA are omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil. And the best quality fish oil is from tuna, due to its higher DHA:EPA ratio. PM Procare is a convenient source of premium tuna oil. Exclusive to PM Procare, tuna oil contains the highest DHA:EPA ratio (4.5:1) compared to other species of fish. The tuna oil used incorporated in PM Procare is sourced from tuna fished in the clear South Pacific waters, ensuring a “clean, unspoilt source” of tuna oil. This tuna oil is processed (ISO & HACCP Accredited), ensuring any contaminants (heavy metals, pesticides) are held to strict specifications. Unlike other products containing tuna oil, the tuna oil in PM Procare is processed with a 5% overage in specifications. This guarrantees that the amount of tuna oil in each capsule measures up to the claims on the label. While PM Procare is a convenient source of tuna oil, it is also a convenient source of vitamins and minerals including iron, calcium, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iodine, folic acid, betacarotene, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, D3, and E. While specially formulated for pregnant and breastfeeding women, PM Procare is a nutrient source that provides health benefits for both men women throughout their lives. References
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