Fats for Maximum Brain Potential - Page 2

Our bodies are unable to efficiently synthesize the long chain polyunsaturated fats such as DHA and EPA needed for fetal and maternal health. Therefore, pregnant mothers must take in the omega 3 essential fatty acids from the diet. The omega 3’s EPA and DHA are not found in a multitude of sources. Essentially they are found in deep water fish such as mackerel, sardines, and salmon. Fish, much like humans, have a hard time synthesizing the beneficial fatty acids. Therefore, deep-water fish eat algae which are very good at carrying the omega 3 fatty acids we all need. So from algae to fish to pregnant moms to the fetus and finally to the developing nervous system the very important omega 3s are utilized. Unfortunately, there is a problem with this chain of lifepollution. Pollutions such as PCBs and mercury are found in high levels in those same deep-water fish. These pollutants have been shown to have detrimental effects on the fetus ⁽⁶⁾. Because of the pollutants in the deep water fish, a safer way to take in the omega 3s are in supplement form. When looking for an omega 3 supplement, one needs to find pharmaceutical- grade. This denotes the highest level of purity attainable in these supplements avoiding damaging mercury and PCBs as much as possible.

The rapid fetal brain development continues from the last term of pregnancy into the first 12 months of the infant’s life. Given this, the need for long chain fatty acid supplementation in the infant remains high. The infant most obviously must receive these long chain fatty acids in one of two ways—breastfeeding from a mother who is supplemented or from a formula fortified with the DHA/EPA complex. Breastmilk is the best choice for the infant as it provides for the easiest digestion and absorption of the fatty acids. Until recently, formulas were not supplemented with the very important long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Due to recent studies on brain development and the IQ advantages supplemented children have over nonsupplemented, the larger formula manufacturers decided to include the polyunsaturated fatty acids into their formulas. There are several conditions associated with deficiencies in DHA such as impaired vision, reduced IQ, dyslexia, and ADD ⁽²⁾.

Fats, for the longest time, have been thought of as the evils of diets. There are fats which cause more damage than good to our bodies, the worst of these harmful fats are trans polyunsaturated fats. However, people of all ages, from fetus to elderly, need fats to build the brain and nervous system. The fats we take in have a major effect on how well our nervous system functions. The most beneficial fats are omega-3 polyunsaturated essential fatty acids more commonly known as DHA and EPA. These fatty heavy hitters have been shown to enhance brain development and functions in children. By limiting trans fat intake and enhancing omega-3 consumption during pregnancy and beyond women can give our children the best opportunity for optimum brain and nervous system function.

About the Author:

Renata Anderson, D.C. graduated from NWCC in 1999. She has been in practice for 5 years in Onalaska, WI. She has just successfully completed the ICPA 360 hour Diplomate program and has been awarded Diplomate status. Dr Renata and her husband John have a 16 month old son, Quinn.

References:

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3. Schmidt, Michael. Smart Fats: How Dietary Fats and Oils Affect Mental, Physical and Emotional Intelligence. Berkeley, California: North Atlantic Books, 1997:101-102.
4. Al, MDM, van Houwelingen, AC, Hornstra, G. The effect of pregnancy on the cervonic acid (docosahexaenoic acid) status of mothers and their newborns. Department of Human Biology, University of Limburg, Maastricht, The Netherlands. Second International Congress of International Society for Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids. Washington, D.C., June 8-11, 1995.
5. Van Jaarsveld, PJ, et al. The essential fatty acid status of women from a community with low socioeconomic status. Med Sci Res 1994;22:719-21.
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This article appeared in Pathways to Family Wellness magazine, Issue #04.

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