These two types of fatty acids play a crucial role in the development and maintenance of the brain’s “strength“. DHA and ARA from both natural and artificial food sources are equally effective; the key issue is the ratio and content.
Research has shown that DHA and ARA fatty acids enhance children’s intelligence and slow down the aging of the adult brain. They account for about one-quarter of the dry weight of the brain. Therefore, many foods, especially powdered milk, are supplemented with these substances and their precursors (omega 3, omega 6). However, according to Garry Wainscott, a nutrition expert and the Director of Teknolink Nutrition Company in Australia, many recent studies have demonstrated that only a very small portion of the precursors metabolize into DHA and ARA, while most of it is used by the body for energy supplementation and the creation of beneficial substances for the immune system. Therefore, direct supplementation of DHA and ARA into food is advisable.
“Many studies have shown that diets supplemented with DHA and ARA increase the accumulation of these two substances in red blood cells and promote the visual development of infants. This indicates that DHA and ARA contribute to brain development” – Wainscott explained – “At this stage, children cannot express their thoughts verbally, so their brain development is assessed through their vision, as retinal cells and brain cells share the same origin during the fetal period“. According to a study conducted on breastfed infants, those with the highest visual acuity and the best language recognition abilities are the children of mothers with a rich supply of DHA and ARA in their milk.
Dr. Nguyen Tien Dung, Head of the Pediatrics Department at Bach Mai Hospital, stated that currently, many foods, especially powdered milk, are supplemented with DHA and ARA. However, for them to be effective, they need to be supplemented in optimal ratios and amounts, according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Accordingly, the standard DHA/ARA ratio is 1:2. WHO and FAO believe this ratio is the closest to that of breast milk. Surveys of the levels of these two fatty acids in the milk of women from various continents reveal that, despite differing material conditions and dietary customs, the DHA/ARA ratio in breast milk is almost always 1:2.
According to WHO and FAO, the optimal content for children’s development is DHA 17 mg/100 Kcal and ARA 34 mg/Kcal, which is equivalent to 76 mg of DHA and 152 mg of ARA in 100 g of powdered milk. Dr. Dung notes that most powdered milk products on the Vietnamese market do not meet these standards. Many milk brands maintain the standard levels of DHA and ARA in products sold in Europe and the U.S. but reduce them when selling products to poorer countries, including Vietnam.
Mr. Dung also mentioned that the most critical time to supplement DHA and ARA is during the first year after birth. This is when the brain develops at its highest rate. At birth, the brain’s weight is only 25% of its adult size. However, within six months, this figure rises to 50%, and by 12 months, it reaches 70%. With this growth rate, the brain requires a significant amount of nutrients, especially the aforementioned fatty acids that support intelligence. Supplementing them during this time is most appropriate.
“Of course, after this golden period, DHA and ARA remain essential for the development and maintenance of the human brain” – Wainscott said – “Besides timing, the ratio and content, it is also important to consider the duration of use. Studies show that to create a difference compared to children who do not or have low supplementation of DHA and ARA, these substances need to be used at standard levels for at least 12 months; this is particularly evident in one-year-old children”.
For children who have received a rich supply of DHA and ARA from breast milk, Wainscott believes it would not be futile to supplement these two substances from fish oil or other products. However, the best approach is indirect supplementation, meaning that mothers consume those foods and pass DHA and ARA through their milk to their children.
Hai Ha
