Supplements 101
y now the many benefits of fish oil and the essential fatty acids (EFAs) in it are common knowledge; in particular, the impor- tance of specific EFAs, particularly DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) for infants and children is so widely acknowledged that it is now added to infant formula and has been a continuous focus of research for a couple of decades. The more we learn about these healthy fish oil fats, though, the more clear it becomes that they aren’t just for the littlest ones: ensuring an abundant supply for you and your child, from the moment you even think about conceiv- ing, during pregnancy and throughout all the childhood years, is an intelligent – and intelligence-enhancing - gift that will keep on giving throughout their lives.
B DHA in Pregnancy and After – the gift of a “better brain”
During pregnancy the only source of DHA is the mother’s intake from diet and supplements, and many diets are deficient in this nutri- ent – daily intake of DHA in U.S. women is estimated at about 50 mg., compared to 600-1200 mg per day for Japanese women. Sev- eral studies have affirmed the ”essential” nature of this fish oil fat for optimal brain growth and function (and for healthy retinal and vision development). One study found that mothers who supplemented their diets with DHA during pregnancy gave birth to children who scored higher on early childhood tests of mental processing and had greater head circumference (a measure of brain development). A 2008 Australian study looked at the effects of fish oil supple- mentation during pregnancy from 20 weeks to delivery, and found significant improvement in eye-hand coordination (a measure of brain function in young children) at age 2 ½. In a third study, children of mothers who took DHA during pregnancy had better neurologic function at age 5. Infants of mothers supplemented with DHA were calmer and had better sleep, too. What’s the link between DHA and your baby’s brain? During the last three months in the womb and during the first months of infancy, the brain has a ’growth spurt,’ requiring large amounts of the essential fatty acid DHA for incorporation into its tissues. The more DHA is available to the child from the mother’s blood supply (in utero) and breast milk, the more the brain can soak up, and the better that brain develops and functions. For mothers-to-be, a good daily dosage is 600-1200 mg of DHA (there appears to be no toxic- ity) from dietary and supplemental sources (enteric-coated formula- tions can be easier on the digestive tract).
Mood, Behavior, the “Alphabet Disorders,” and EFAs
Brain health isn’t only about IQ, though; the brain is also the center of feeling and behavior; it’s where we ’live’ as humans. The poet John Milton spoke of this most eloquently in Paradise Lost: “The mind is its own place, and in itself/ Can make a Heav’n of Hell, a Hell of Heav’n.” Too many children’s minds are bleak, unhealthy places where no one should have to live. Driven in part by cha- otic biochemistry, these beleaguered brains trigger poor behavior and foster emotional climates of chronic anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, mood instability, even rage reactions – an unfortunate recipe for misery in childhood and beyond. These issues should be the exception in our youngsters but tragically, they are far too commonplace. Depression, anxiety, dyslexia, OCD, ADD, ADHD, PDDNOS, ASD – there is a growing lexicon of names and acronyms for brain imbalances which, to a greater or lesser degree, have roots in disturbances of biochemistry and metabolism. An incredible web of interconnection exists between brain centers, stress hormones, neurotransmitters, inflammatory substances and nutritional factors, and EFAs from fish oil are among the most important nutrients for maintaining equilibrium throughout this complex web. Accumu- lated research has clearly established the efficacy of fish oil/ EFAs for improving learning, behavior, and social interaction in children with developmental and psychosocial problems. Supplementing with fish oil is a simple and effective way to begin to heal your child’s brain chemistry. When prescribing for the vulnerable young groups described above, I may suggest dosages of
Debra Gibson, ND Fish Oil: A No-Brainer for Your Child
Fish Oil: Brain Food for Every Child While the connection between DHA and brain development in
infancy and early childhood is well documented, a 2011 study dem- onstrates that even at the age of 11, children whose moms take DHA during pregnancy perform better on memory function and behavioral tests – pointing to a much more extended beneficial effect than has previously been recognized. Another significant finding of this study was that those 11-year-olds who had higher blood levels of DHA at the time of testing scored even higher – which suggests that continu- ing to provide plenty of DHA throughout childhood is a very bright idea. In my practice, I often prescribe child-oriented formulations which provide DHA in amounts of 100-200 mg per day.
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