DHA is essential for normal visual and neurological development in infants

Particularly Important for Pregnant and Nursing Women

DHA is very important for the young. In the formative years, DHA (Omega-3) is crucial for the proper development of the brain and vision. The brain and retina of the eye, the most membrane-rich tissues in the body, use DHA as building blocks, impacting not only the size of the brain and improve the ability to learn, judge and concentrate. Children, especially in their first six years, gain immense benefit from adequate levels of DHA.

Research has revealed that pregnant American women do not get enough LCP's in their diet. This is especially true for vegans and those eating lots of fat-free foods. Vegan diets generally contain plenty of essential fatty acids (EFAs), which are LCP precursors, but not enough are converted into LCPs. Therefore, adopting a low-fat diet without considering the kind of fatty acids eaten will likely not supply enough of the proper LCP's required for optimal fetal brain development.

Before conception, during pregnancy and in the first 12 to 18 weeks after birth are the most critical times for a woman to consume the EFAs her body will ultimately convert into the LCPs her baby cannot yet make on its own. DHA is passed from the mother's blood through the placenta and regulates the development of the baby's brain. While still in the womb, the more DHA that is transferred from the mother the better the influence will be on the brain and vision development of the infant.