Benefits of DHA and ARA in Infant Development
DHA is important for optimal brain, eye, and nervous system development in infants. ARA is equally important for proper brain development. Major infant brain growth occurs during pregnancy and throughout the first two years of life. During these times, infants have the greatest need for DHA and/or ARA. Specifically, certain studies (some, but not all) have had the following results:
Certain studies have shown that infants who received optimal levels of DHA during gestation exhibited:
- improved psychomotor development
- improved mental processing scores at 4 years
Certain studies have also shown that infants fed formula supplemented with DHA and ARA exhibited:
- improved mental development
- better visual acuity
- significantly lower blood pressure at age six which may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease later in life.
Preterm infants who were fed DHA and ARA supplemented formula exhibited normal growth in terms of weight, length and head circumference and improved visual and mental development.
