HealthMilk enriched with omega-3 DHA, a possible ally for the cognitive development of children

Milk enriched with omega-3 DHA, a possible ally for the cognitive development of children

These are the results of the EsNuPI Study (Nutritional Study in the Spanish Child Population), carried out by the Spanish Nutrition Foundation (FEN) and the Ibero-American Nutrition Foundation (FINUT)

The end of the holidays is directly linked to the return to routine and, in the case of the little ones, with the return to school. It is time to reconnect with friends, teachers, books and desks, but also to have the brain at full capacity to overcome the intellectual challenges of the new school year. To guarantee the proper growth of the child and its full development, it is very important to take maximum care of the diet.

Omega-3 fatty acids DHA, essential

DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid from the omega-3 series that is essential for the formation and functionality of the central nervous system (CNS), especially the brain and retina. Therefore, in childhood, DHA plays an essential role in cognitive development and visual acuity in children. A daily intake of 100 mg of DHA is recommended for children under 2 years of age and between 2 and 18 years of age 250 mg per day (in this case the recommendation refers to the sum of two omega-3, EPA and the DHA).

We can talk about 3 stages in the development of a child’s CNS:

The first year and a half of life. In pregnancy and these first months of life, most of the volume of a child’s brain is generated, it is the construction phase par excellence. During pregnancy, it receives omega-3 DHA from its mother’s diet and, from birth, through breast milk. When it is not fed with breast milk, the recommended contribution of this fatty acid must be guaranteed, for which adapted formulas and enriched infant milk can play an important role.

Between a year and a half and 6-8 years . In this phase, the structure of the brain has just matured and it is still very important to receive a sufficient amount of this nutrient to complete the correct growth and functioning of the Central Nervous System. The problem at this stage is that less attention is usually paid to diet .

from adolescence . From 6-8 years of age, the brain is already formed, but it is a living structure that is constantly being restructured to acquire and fine-tune functions. Covering the omega-3 DHA intake in the diet is of great help to develop and maintain key skills. A sustained deficiency of this nutrient over time can pose a significant risk to the child’s development and health in the short, medium and long term.

Other functions of omega-3 in health

These polyunsaturated fats also contribute to the regulation of the immune and cardiovascular systems. An adequate balance of omega-3 is necessary for the correct regulation of the immune system.

Regarding the Cardiovascular System, what is important is the balance between saturated and unsaturated fats (including omega-3), so that increasing the proportion of the latter would have a protective effect against thrombosis, heart attacks, development of atherosclerotic plaques , etc.

Major dietary sources of fat

Omega-3s are generally found in some foods such as oily fish, shellfish, nuts and seeds, vegetable oils or avocado, among others. However, the omega-3 DHA is present mainly in oily fish and there are not many other dietary sources of this fatty acid. In addition, there are other foods, such as fortified milk, that can help meet the recommendations.

In the framework of EsNuPI Study (Nutritional Study in Spanish Child Population) carried out by the Spanish Nutrition Foundation (FEN) and the Ibero-American Nutrition Foundation (FINUT), the three main sources of total fat in children’s diets are milk and dairy products, oils and fats, meats and meat products.

In the general child population, in the three age groups analyzed by the EsNuPI Study, the main source of DHA is fish and shellfish, followed by meat and meat products and milk and dairy products. As for children who consume fortified infant milk, milk and dairy products appear first as a source of DHA, followed by fish and shellfish and meat and meat products.

Does the infant diet provide the necessary omega-3?

The diet of Spanish children is high in saturated fats and, however, deficient with respect to international recommendations for essential and polyunsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3. “The main source of DHA in children’s diets is oily fish, but in many cases parents find it difficult to introduce these foods into children’s diets as often as necessary to reach the recommended daily intakes. The EsNuPI Study shows that using fortified and enriched foods such as dairy products, which are so present and important in children’s diets, is a useful and effective strategy to help achieve adequate intakes”, explains Dr. Leis.

The authors of the EsNuPI Study observed that children who consumed enriched infant milk had a healthier fat intake profile, with intakes closer to the recommendations for total fat, saturated fatty acids, essential fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids and, specifically, 4.5 times higher intakes of omega-3 DHA.

Therefore, omega-3s are essential for many of our body’s functions and it is important to reach optimal levels in different population groups. In particular, the omega-3 DHA is essential for brain development and therefore it is necessary to follow a balanced diet to achieve this goal. Foods enriched with omega-3 DHA can be of great help.

Source: abc.es

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