Imagine a nutrient so essential to your health and
development that European nations have been including it in baby
formula for years. In the U. S. the FDA has finally okayed its use in baby formulas.
It is usually associated with the Central Nervous System. The
most active period for the growth of the central nervous system
is while the baby is still growing inside the mother.
DHA |
This is a very critical time and a shortage of this nutrient
can cause a range of very serious problems.
During the last trimester, while the baby is developing its
"finishing touches", the brain doubles in size. Did you know that
nearly 80% of the growth of the fetus is the building of the
brain?
The mother's body knows this and automatically transfers these
needed nutrients to the baby . . . sometimes causing the mother
to become critically short of DHA.
After birth, the nursing mother continues to supply her baby
with this important "essential nutrient".
Research has shown that mothers who take a supplement during their pregnancy and lactation may increase their baby's IQ.
Sadly, women in the United States take in very little -
and as a nation we rank last in the world for the proper level.
Research has show that a shortage of this essential nutrient has been
associated with heart problems. In fact, doctors have begun to prescribe DHA for their heart patients.
Other health related issues associated with a shortage of this nutrient are memory problems, mood problems, Altzheimer's, Rheumatoid Arthritis, PMS Symptoms, eye problems and even the health of your skin and hair.
We have been told for years that we shouldn't eat red meat and to cut back on our fats. Believe it or not, there are some good fats. EFA's or Essential Fatty Acids are necessary for our good health. In nature they are found in meats and cold water fish.
One of the most important nutrients in EFA's is docosahexaenoic acid (that's alright, I can't pronounce it either). It has a nick name that I like better . . . DHA!
