Let your Baby be smarter right from the start.
How OMEGA 3 helps. A simple way to give your baby a head start.
Omega 3 - a simple head start for your baby
In the January 2003 issue of Pediatrics researchers from the Institute for Nutrition Research of the University of Oslo in Norway reported supplementation with omega 3 fatty acid DocosaHexaenoic Acid (DHA) boosted the intelligence of infants.
Omega 3 is the name of a type of fat that is found in oil-rich fish and some plant oils and is also known as "n-3". They are from the family of "good" fats - polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that are not only beneficial for health but are essential in the diet.
"We received dietary information from 76 infants (41 in the cod liver oil group and 35 in the corn oil group), documenting that all of them were breastfed at 3 months of age. Children who were born to mothers who had taken cod liver oil (n = 48) during pregnancy and lactation scored higher on the Mental Processing Composite of the K-ABC at 4 years of age as compared with children whose mothers had taken corn oil (n = 36; 106.4 [7.4] vs 102.3 [11.3]). The Mental Processing Composite score correlated significantly with head circumference at birth (r = 0.23), but no relation was found with birth weight or gestational length. The children's mental processing scores at 4 years of age correlated significantly with maternal intake of DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid during pregnancy. In a multiple regression model, maternal intake of DHA during pregnancy was the only variable of statistical significance for the children's mental processing scores at 4 years of age. CONCLUSION: Maternal intake of very-long-chain n-3 PUFAs during pregnancy and lactation may be favorable for later mental development of children."
This result supports a previous report arguing for a link between breast-feeding as a source of DHA and intelligence.
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Another study published in the American Journal of Pediatrics revealed that women who get a boost in omega 3 during pregnancy could be boosting their babies' brain power. The study followed over 100 infants whose cord blood had measured high in DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) at birth. Tests were done to compare the infants' brain and eye development at 6 months of age and again at 11 months of age. Both times, the babies in the study did better than babies without the higher levels of DHA at birth.
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Omega 3 fatty acid has several benefits for the human body and it has positive effects on many types of disorders. Even though people know this, they will keep pondering over what is Omega 3 good for. Omega 3 can help as a mood stabilizer and it prevents several disorders like Alzheimer's, bipolar, schizophrenia, nervousness, memory loss and also intelligence.
These omega 3 fatty acids appear to be particularly vital during the third trimester as that is when the fetal brain development is at it's most rapid pace. The tests performed to measure results included memory, visual acuity, cognitive and motor skills - age appropriate, of course. While the nutrients do pass through breast milk, it is believed that it is best during the last three months of gestational growth.
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An earlier study followed 70 women and their infants, also babies with high DHA levels at birth. The babies were two months advanced in development compared to their peers with lower DHA levels right up until they were six months old. Other tests were still able to measure differences through 18 months old. The children were not followed after that point but it stands to reason that the observed differences resulted in higher intelligence as they grew.
We all want our children to be healthy and intelligent so it makes sense to do everything we can to ensure proper nutrition when they are still inside us. By giving them all the building blocks they need to create healthy cells, in the brain and elsewhere, we give them the best possible chance at a healthy life. If nothing else, we owe our babies the best in life that we can give them. Therefore, women should take an omega 3 supplement during pregnancy. This will ensure that baby brain development is optimal and advanced.
Other benefits of Omega 3
Fish oil is a rich source of omega 3. By taking it on a daily basis, people can avoid several problems. Omega 3 controls heart diseases and decreases cholesterol. A diet that is rich in omega 3 fatty acid actually helps to lower the triglycerides, which are responsible for cholesterol in the body. Excessive cholesterol in the blood stream increases heart risks and make the person twice as vulnerable to a heart attack.
Omega 3 fatty acid decreases the chances of inflammation and also promotes healing of wounds. It also acts as an anticoagulant and prevents blood clots internally. That is why omega 3 prescription drug is used as a preoperative care medicine so it improves the post operative condition of a patient. It helps the surgical wounds heal faster and also prevents any kind of inflammation. It helps to control blood pressure and prevents several kinds of heart risks.
It helps older people to enhance their memory and prevents Alzheimer's. Omega 3 fatty acid is found in fish, plants and some meats like egg and chicken, lamb and beef. However, the healthiest form of omega 3 can be obtained from fish oil or plants extracts.
Omega 3 in each stage of growing up
When toddlers stop having breastmilk or formula milk and start eating more family foods, it is important to look for different forms of essential fatty acids in their diet. Oily fish is a good source of omega 3 fats. Examples of oily fish include salmon, mackerel, trout, sardines, pilchards, eel and fresh tuna. You can offer your toddler oily fish once or twice a week. Many toddlers will enjoy oily fish in home-made fish cakes, or fish and potato pie, made with a mixture of oily and white fish.
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Essential fatty acids are rich in the nutrients essential for optimum brain and eye development, and many of us do not get enough of them in our diets. There has been much publicity about their properties, as they are claimed to improve intelligence, memory, co-ordination and concentration skills in schoolchildren. These claims have not been proven but supplements may help some children who are fussy eaters and do not receive enough of these fats from their diets. Some supplements combine fish oils with evening primrose oil and come in flavours such as citrus and vanilla to mask the fishy taste. They can also be mixed in with milk and juices if your child finds them unpalatable.
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Where to find Omega 3 fatty acids?
- All fish contain omega 3 fatty acids, but they are more concentrated in fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon, sardines and herring. The American Heart Association recommends eating fish at least 2 times a week.
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Many commercial food products, such as bread and baked goods, yogurt and infant formula are now fortified with omega 3 fatty acids.
Other sources of omega 3s include:
- Green leafy vegetables
- Soy and tofu
- Nuts and seeds like almonds, walnuts, pine nuts, and flax seed
- Cooking oils such as flax seed oil, canola oil, and soybean oil (for more information, read The Best Cooking Oils)
- Some eggs, such as omega-3 enhanced eggs
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