What is DHA? Role of DHA in mother and baby health?

DHA is a substance that plays a very important role not only for the development of children, but also for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases in adults. Let’s learn about DHA to better understand this substance, its effects as well as food sources of DHA and notes when supplementing with DHA for the body.

What is DHA?

DHA stands for Docosa Hexaenoic Acid and belongs to the group of Omega-3 fatty acids . DHA has the function of preventing cardiovascular diseases, preventing cancer, developing brain and vision in children. This substance is found in salmon, tuna, mackerel, fish oil, walnuts, olive oil, breast milk, formula milk, …

Health benefits of DHA

For adults

– DHA has the role of protecting and preventing cardiovascular diseases, helping to reduce blood triglycerides and bad cholesterol , preventing atherosclerosis, myocardial infarction.

In addition, DHA also prevents and inhibits harmful cells, cancer cells.

– DHA also helps improve memory , enhance intelligence.

For pregnant and lactating women

According to the Hanoi Department of Health, DHA supports the development of the fetus from the time it is in the womb. DHA from the mother’s body will accumulate for the child’s brain development , helping children have better IQ, concentration and eyesight.

– DHA also reduces the possibility of premature birth, prevents preeclampsia, postpartum depression.

For children

DHA accounts for a high percentage in the brain and has a direct effect on children’s intelligence, concentration, and memory.

DHA plays a very important role in the eyes, especially the visual development of young children.

– Breastfeeding babies for the first 24 months to supplement DHA is essential. Because the child’s body cannot synthesize DHA from other sources.

What foods is DHA in?

– Rich natural food sources of DHA are marine fish such as salmon, tuna, mackerel …

– Fish oil, seafood, walnuts, olive oil … also contain a lot of DHA.

Besides breast milk, formula milk is a very good source of DHA for babies. In addition to DHA, formula also provides ARA – an essential fatty acid for baby’s development.

How to supplement DHA for the body

DHA supplement for children

For children, the best way to get DHA is through food . DHA-rich foods such as fish oil, fish, aquatic products.

DHA is also abundant in vegetable oils, coconut oil, olive oil… so children should use these oils to supplement natural DHA.

In addition, there are now quite a few functional food products to help supplement DHA for children. However, you should consult your doctor before using these products .

DHA supplement for pregnant women

Pregnant women need to supplement DHA during pregnancy, especially in the last 3 months of pregnancy for the baby to develop the best nervous system and blood vessels.

Pregnant women supplement DHA for the fetus through eating foods rich in DHA, milk powder for pregnant women, or functional foods (need to consult a doctor)

Things to know when supplementing with DHA

– Supplementing DHA from fish should avoid fish that contain a lot of mercury. Should choose types such as: mackerel, salmon, carp… According to the Hanoi Department of Health, pregnant women need to pay special attention to this, to avoid affecting the fetus.

– There have been no studies showing that too much DHA will harm the body. Pregnant women need about 200 mg of DHA/day . Children aged 0-12 months need 17 mg/day and children 1-6 years old need 75 mg/day depending on weight.

How does DHA deficiency affect the body?

DHA belongs to the group of essential omega-3 fatty acids of the body, so a lack of omega 3 will lead to a lot of disease risks and have a significant impact on the functioning of the human body.

For pregnant women , a DHA deficiency can lead to an increased risk of preterm birth , pre-eclampsia as well as postpartum depression, bone problems, and menopause.

– In fetuses and infants , a deficiency of DHA will directly affect the development of the child’s immune system and increase the risk of asthma, allergies, and also limit the level of intelligence and brain development of children.

DHA plays an important role for humans, especially for children. Therefore, choosing food sources to provide DHA is something that mothers are very concerned about. Hope this article helps you understand what DHA is? Effects of DHA on health, especially for children.

Source: According to Hanoi Department of Health

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