Mead Johnson Asia - Brunei

DHA is one of the family of omega-3 fatty acids. The human body is unable to make the "starter" molecule of the omega-3 fatty acid series, the 18-carbon alpha-linolenic acid, as the body lacks the necessary enzymes to do so. For this reason, we must take in from the daily food that we eat, all the amounts of this omega-3 fatty acid that our body requires. This is why it is referred to as an "essential fatty acid".

The human body can make DHA from a "starter" omega-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid, which is present in small quantities in fish oils, canola oil and soy oil which are in our diet. The manufacture of DHA from alpha-linolenic acid requires the action of special liver enzymes to modify the molecules. However, more recent studies have shown that this conversion rate is extremely low, and DHA is the least efficiently formed omega-3 LCPUFA in humans¹. In some cases during the rapid growth spurt especially the first two years of life, this low conversion rate does not enable the body to convert enough omega-3 fatty acid molecules to provide sufficient DHA for the body's needs for optimum brain development.⁴ This is why dietary "preformed" DHA is so important to babies.

ARA is one of the family of omega-6 fatty acids. The "starter" omega-6 fatty acid, the 18-carbon called linoleic acid, is the second of the two "essential fatty acids". The human body can manufacture ARA from the linoleic acid, which is mainly present in some vegetable oils such as corn oil and soy oil. Again, special enzymes are required to modify the molecules, and infants may not have adequately mature enzyme function for the modification of sufficient linoleic acid to ARA for the daily needs of the body.

The body's highest concentration of DHA is in the developing brain. The breast-fed infant receives its supply of DHA from its mother's breast milk in two ways. One way is in the form of alpha-linolenic acid, which the infant must convert to DHA. The second way: breast milk also contains DHA that is already formed, often referred to by scientists as "preformed" DHA. Many studies over the past few years have highlighted just how important is this "preformed" DHA in supporting the developing brain during the early years.^2,3,4,5 DHA is also a key component in the brain gangliosides which are considered to play a significant role in learning and the formation of memory.⁶

Breast milk contains linoleic acid which the baby can convert to ARA. It also contains "preformed" ARA. Again, recent studies have shown the beneficial effect of the "preformed" ARA which breast-fed infants receive from their mothers' breast milk.

If you are breastfeeding your baby, then it is important to ensure that your diet contains not only polyunsaturated fats, but also "preformed" DHA. A number of recent studies have shown that when a mother's daily intake of DHA is improved, the level of DHA in her breast milk rises.

Oily fish (e.g., mackerel, salmon, some species of tuna) are the richest sources of DHA in the diet. Other sources of DHA are egg yolk, and milk products fortified with "preformed" DHA. You should seek the advice of your doctor or other health care professional for a pregnancy or breastfeeding nutritional supplement which contains added DHA.

There is also a nutrient called Sialic Acid, or SA, which is a naturally occurring breast-milk carbohydrate. SA is found far more abundantly in the brain compared to any other organs in the body ⁷. Like DHA, SA is an important component of brain tissues which are considered to play a key role in the transmission and storage of information in the brain.⁸

1. Brenna JT. Efficiency of conversion of linolenic acid to long chain n-3 fatty acids in man. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care, 2002; 5:127-132.
2. Helland IB, Smith L, Saarem K, Saugstad OD, Drevon CA. Maternal supplementation with very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation augments children's IQ at 4 years of age. Pediatrics, 2003; 111:e39-e44.
3. Birch EE, Garfield S, Hoffman DR, Uauy R, Birch DG. A randomized controlled trial of early dietary supply of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and mental development in term infants. Developmental Med & Child Neurol, 2000; 42:174-181.
4. Jorgensen MH, Hernell O, Hughes EL, Michaelsen KF. Is there a relationship between docosahexaenoic acid concentration in mother's milk and visual development in term infants? J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr, 2001; 32:293-296.
5. Hoffman DR, Birch EE, Birch DG, Uauy R, Castañeda YS, Lapus MG, Wheaton DH. Impact of early dietary intake and blood lipid composition of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on later visual development. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr, 2000; 31:540-553.
6. Wang B, McVeagh P, Petocz P, Brand-Miller J. Brain ganglioside and glycoprotein sialic acid in breastfed compared with formula-fed infants. Am J Clin Nutr, 2003; 78:1024-1029.
7. Wang B, Brand-Miller J. The role and potential of sialic acid in human nutrition. Eur J Clin Nutr, 2003; 57:1351-1369.
8. Rahmann, H Brain gangliosides and memory formation, Behavioral Brain Research, 1995; 66:105-116.