Memo to Moms: Don't Forget the DHA

If you're planning a family, or are an expectant or new mom, then you already know how important calcium, iron and folic acid are to you and your baby. But are you aware of the benefits of docosahexaenoic acid, commonly known as DHA?

A natural nutrient for humans of all ages, DHA, an omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, is one of the essential building blocks of human brain tissue. Found naturally in breast milk, DHA is also present in egg yolk and oily fish such as tuna, salmon and sardines.

"DHA is one of the four most important nutrients for pregnant and lactating women," says Barbara Levine, R.D., Ph.D., co-director of the Human Nutrition Program at The Rockefeller University, and director of the Nutrition Information Center, The New York Hospital-Weill Medical College of Cornell University.

"Expectant mothers should begin to include essential fatty acids in their diets in early pregnancy to ensure that DHA is passed on to the baby's tissues during the gestational period," she says.

What does having enough DHA mean for you and your baby? Whether you're a baby or an adult, DHA is important for signal transmission in the brain, eye and nervous system. According to a recent study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, infants who were breastfed have better eyesight than those who were not. The reason? DHA in breast milk enhanced their visual and mental development. The research was conducted at the University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom, in conjunction with researchers from the Retina Foundation of the Southwest and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, both in Dallas.

This study confirms earlier studies, which found a link between DHA and improved visual and intellectual development of children.

"Baby's significant brain and eye development occurs during pregnancy and the first year after birth," Levine explains.

Mom provides DHA to baby during pregnancy. After the baby is born, breast milk is the primary source of DHA, so it's important for moms to have good levels of DHA in their own bodies. Talk to your health care professional about ways to ensure you get enough DHA in your diet. The best dietary sources of DHA are salmon and deep-sea fatty fish. Omega-3 enhanced eggs are another simple way to make sure you get enough DHA in your diet.

Levine says, "It's as simple as ABC: mom's DHA means a multitude of health benefits for baby."

For more information about the health benefits of DHA, contact your physician.

Courtesy ARA Content, www.ARAcontent.com, e-mail: info@ARAcontent.com

EDITOR'S NOTE: For more information, contact Julianne Tolleson at (212) 527-8809, e-mail: jtolleson@rowland.com.