What are DHA, ARA and ALA?

Numerous studies on children’s health and intelligence have revealed the importance of focusing on one critical aspect of their lives: a properly developed brain. This has led nutritionists to isolate two potent components, the initials of which are becoming more and more familiar to a growing number of concerned parents: DHA and ARA.

DHA, short for Docosahexaenoic Acid, is a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, which makes up a large part of the brain and a primary building block of the human brain tissue.

DHA forms part of new cell membranes that are needed as brain cells grow and make new connections with one another. Experts now believe that DHA is important to help ensure optimum brain development.

Similarly, ARA, short for Arachidonic Acid, is another form of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid that is also a necessary part of all cell membranes.

To provide support for superior brain development, a steady supply of DHA and ARA is required. A natural adequate supply of DHA, however, depends on the amount of its precursor, which constitutes ALA.

Short for Alpha-Linolenic Acid, ALA can be found in very few vegetable and fish oils. This makes inclusion of such sources of DHA in a child’s diet very difficult. Because of taste preference among children and the lack of enough vegetables and fish in their diet, there is a need to supplement their diet with DHA.

Parents who plan to use an infant formula for their baby’s supplements should make sure it is clinically proven to be safe and has the right amount of DHA and ARA to supplement breast-milk levels or levels recommended by experts. This will help ensure that optimum brain development is supported throughout infancy.

One outcome of using proper combinations of DHA and ARA is the development of sharper visions during the infant’s sixth, seventh and 52nd week. The visual improvement is equivalent to one line on the Snellen eye chart, which is the standard test of visual clarity used by doctors worldwide.

Because of the DHA’s important role in brain development, this brain-building ingredient is also added in Mead Johnson’s line of milk products for infants to toddler age with Enfagrow Growing Up Milk (for toddlers aged one and above) and all the way up to pre-school age with Enfakid (for children aged three to six).

The inclusion of DHA in Mead Johnson’s milk supplements will give parents an opportunity to provide their children an excellent nutritional support for optimum brain development at every stage of growth.

For questions or inquiries about baby’s nutrition, Enfa products, Mead Johnson’s pre-natal and Generation E program, call 841-8222 or toll-free number 1-800-1888-5861. Or write to Generation E Customer Contact Center, Mead Johnson, 2309 Don Chino Roces Ave. Ext., Makati City, 1231. Or visit website www.enfagrow.ph.