Video: Nutrition for a Healthy Pregnancy Part 2 with Dr. Gregory Ward
Dr. Gregory Ward explores nutrition research that points to the benefits of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3.
By: Brightest Editors
September 28, 2016
Major infant brain growth occurs during pregnancy and during the first two years of life, which makes it important for parents to feed their babies proper nutrition between birth and two years old.
During this stage in their lives, infants have the greatest need for DHA, an omega-3 fat that is a major structural fat in the brain that accounts for up to 97 percent of the omega-3 fats in the brain. In addition to DHA, infants need arachidonic acid (ARA), an omega-6 fatty acid that is naturally found in breast milk. ARA plays a role in cognitive, visual and immune system development during infancy.
While ARA is plentiful in a Western diet, most women do not get enough DHA in their diets as the primary source of this omega-3 is fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and herring, which are not staples in the Western diet.
Today, it is easy for women who are breast-feeding to consume more DHA through high-quality dietary supplements and prenatal vitamins with DHA combined – either in the same capsule or alongside the multiple vitamin supplement. Discuss the benefits of continuing to take your prenatal vitamins with your health care practitioner after you give birth to help support the brain health of your developing infant.
Dr. Gregory Ward explores nutrition research that points to the benefits of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega-3.
Colic in infants, though considered a benign condition, can bring a lot of stress to a family.
According to a global survey, 64 percent of parents worry about their child’s eye health given their increased exposure to blue light.
Brightest editors had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Lauren R. Crosby, to learn more about DHA omega-3 and ARA omega-6 and why these fats are so important to a growing baby.