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One very important chemical that your body needs is DHA or docosahexaenoic acid. This is a type of omega-3 fatty acid. You may have heard about omega-3 fatty acids in fish oils for heart health in adults. DHA is actually a major component of the brain and eyes and is an important developmental element for children. Infants get their first dose of DHA through their mother’s breast milk, which is yet another reason to breastfeed as long as possible. Some have said this is the missing link between breastfeeding and the enhanced intelligence found in breastfeed infants/toddlers. Many experts even think that omega-3 fatty acid deficiency may contribute to attention deficit disorders. For these reasons, it is important that children continue to consume DHA for optimum brain development after weaning.
Algae is one of the main producers of DHA in nature. When fish eat creatures that consume the algae, DHA eventually gets into the fatty tissue of fish and hence fish oil. Toxins, like mercury, concentrate in fatty tissue; therefore, it is not a good idea to give infants or children DHA made from animal products. Natural sources of DHA include walnuts, flax seeds, green vegetables, fortified grocery products and DHA supplements made from clean, farmed algae. Fuel up on DHA for your child’s healthy development.
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