What role does DHA play in infant nutrition and development?
According to researchers in the field, DHA is critical for the development of a baby’s mental and visual development. DHA accumulates in the brain over the first two years of life. An infant’s best source of nutrition is breast milk, which contains fatty acids, proteins, micronutrients and antibodies that boost an infant’s immune system to help fight against infections, allergies and asthma. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests breastfeeding for a minimum of 12 months and the use of iron-fortified infant formula for infants weaned before 12 months. Iron-enriched solid foods to complement the breast- milk diet should be gradually introduced beginning at six months. Initial studies funded by the National Institutes of Health indicate that the addition of DHA to infant formula boosted the average intelligence scores of a group of 18-month-old children significantly. The Food and Agriculture Organization and The World Health Organization (WHO) Joint Expert Committee recommends
