DHA and brain development

A child’s growing up years produce some of the biggest wonders parents can experience. Starting from birth, a baby’s development can be so rapid and fascinating that they’ll be the stuff of fond memories that last a lifetime. There’s the amazement that accompanies the first few steps, the first uttered syllables that eventually turn into audible words, and the first attempts at play and coordination.

These wonders are by no means limited to the firsts. The child’s early grapple and success with drawing, numbers and words, especially when they seem too surprising for his or her age, give parents a deep sense of accomplishment. These developments are influenced greatly by the child’s upbringing and inherent intelligence, and may be enhanced by nutritional factors that are present in what he or she eats and drinks.

With so much going for the child, parents should continuously support his or her growth by providing sufficient attention, encouragement and most importantly, proper nutritional intake. The last preferably involves the vital component that enhances brain development, Docosahexaenoic Acid or DHA.

DHA is present in a formulated milk supplement called Enfakid, which was developed by Mead Johnson, one of the world’s leading names in infant formulas, for kids aged three to six or those at the preschool level.

Even if the brain’s critical window of development is within the first three years of life, parents are encouraged to continue giving DHA even way beyond, well into adolescence. The reason is that the brain continues to grow and build up neuro-connections, a process that DHA, as a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid that is the primary building block of the human brain and retinal tissue, helps stimulate.

Preschool kids can obtain this health ingredient through DHA-rich Enfakid. Older children, however, can turn to fish oil, organ meat and eggs that are also abundant in DHA.