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Brain is amazing. It contains a hundred billion neurons, each with up to 100,000 connections to other neurons and all the time, electrical and chemical messages are passing between your neurons at incredible speeds. The cell membranes of neurons play a fundamental role in the rapid and accurate transmission of these messages. Omega-3 DHA is an essential building block of these cell membranes.
Beyond development, the brain needs plentiful stores of DHA to function optimally. Cells in the brain and other parts of the nervous system have connecting arms that transport electrical currents, sending visual information from the retina to the brain and messages from the brain throughout the body. DHA supplementation ensures the optimal composition of cell membranes necessary for the most effective transmission of these signals. DHA is correlated with improved mental function.
DHA Supports Intelligence, Attention Span and Good Behaviour in Children
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is sometimes referred to as "brain food" for good reason. Fats make up 60% of the brain and the nerves that run every system in the body, and DHA is the main structural component of brain tissue. Studies are showing that this long-chain omega-3 fatty acid has a huge impact on the developing brain, and may even determine how well children act, mentally and socially.
The omega-3 plays an important role in brain and central nervous system development and function, psycho-motor development (such as eye-hand coordination), visual development and function, and nerve signal transmission.
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Low DHA Levels Yield Disadvantages : |
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Studies have shown that pre-term infants, born without the benefit of the maternal delivery of DHA during the period of most rapid brain growth, the last trimester of pregnancy, did not perform as well on cognitive mental tests later in life. Specific behavioural and learning problems have also been shown to correlate significantly with low DHA levels.
DYSLEXIA - A learning disorder marked by impairment of the ability to recognize and comprehend written words, has been correlated with suboptimal DHA levels.
AUTISM - Autism is a neurodevelopmental disability with an increasing prevalence. Traditional medicine does not offer any cures for autism. Patients with autism spectrum disorders tend to have greater prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders. Many autism patients have food aversion and are picky eaters. Many parents have undertaken complementary and alternative treatments especially nutritional interventions. Omega-3 fatty acid (n-fatty acids) supplementation has been advocated by many experts. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements are part of 12-step autism treatment program.
ADHD - Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder or ADHD also have low DHA levels and experience essential fatty acid deficiency symptoms including hyperactivity and short attention span, frequent urination , frequent thirst. Studies have found that omega-3 fatty acids helped improve behavioural symptoms, Nutrient deficiencies are common in ADHD, and supplementation with minerals, the B vitamins, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and flavonoids have potential to decrease ADHD symptoms.
At this time, we do not know with certainty whether fatty acid abnormalities associated with ADHD are the result of differences in diet, genetic factors or fatty acid metabolism. So far, we know that children with ADHD who have low amounts of omega-3 EPA and DHA in their bodies have more learning and behavioural problems than those with normal amounts.
We do not know the optimal amount of omega-3s and omega-6s given separately or together that are most effective in different types of ADHD. However, preliminary evidence from treatment trials suggests that long-chain omega-3s may be a useful adjunctive treatment for ADHD and related childhood developmental conditions. Ensuring that the diet provides a regular source of long-chain omega-3s through eating fish twice a week as recommended by the American Heart Association, or consuming fish oil
supplements or omega-3-enriched eggs is a reasonable approach for someone with ADHD.
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