In recent years, DHA has become very popular, especially among new mothers. They are afraid that their babies will lose at the starting line, so they always want to supplement their children with more nutrients, such as DHA.

I heard that DHA can make babies smarter. Is this true? When is the appropriate time to supplement with DHA?

What is DHA?

DHA, whose full name is "docosahexaenoic acid", is a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid. Due to its characteristic molecular structure,algal oil powder manufacturer it is an omega-3 fatty acid.

Supplement with DHA and you won’t get smarter! Unfortunately, most current studies have not found the "brain-boosting" effect of DHA.algae oil supplement Although the European Union and the United States recommend that pregnant women increase their DHA intake, supplementing DHA or omega-3 does not improve the baby's intellectual development.

To be precise, DHA helps normal brain development and reduces the risk of brain dysplasia, but there is no need to overestimate its role. If you supplement with extra DHA, it will not be of much help to your baby's intellectual development. In other words, no matter how much you eat,ara oil you won’t get smarter.

Are there any benefits to supplementing DHA?

There are still benefits! Although DHA supplementation does not have magical effects, it can help normal brain development in children of all ages. Therefore, in 2016, the European Food Safety Authority recommended that older infants and young children under 24 months of age should consume 100 mg of DHA daily, while children or adolescents aged 2-18 years should consume 250 mg of DHA daily.

DHA can reduce the risk of premature birth, but most obstetricians recommend that pregnant women with stable pregnancies do not need to continue taking DHA by the third trimester.

How to supplement DHA during pregnancy?

The main intake sources of DHA include: animal sources (fish, shrimp, and shellfish), plant sources (nuts rich in alpha-linolenic acid), and DHA supplements. The main source of omega-3 in food is oily fish, such as wild salmon, mackerel, herring, anchovies and sardines. It is recommended that pregnant women consume no less than 340 grams of seafood per week. But remember, no matter how clean the source of fish, don’t eat it raw, it must be cooked.

DHA can be supplemented throughout pregnancy. Whether you choose a multivitamin containing DHA or a simple DHA supplement, we recommend that every pregnant mother still eat a balanced diet and supplement appropriate carbohydrates, fats and proteins to ensure sufficient energy.

Recommended supplements for premature babies!

The third trimester of pregnancy is the stage when the fetus is working hard to develop its brain in the mother's womb, and premature babies just miss this opportunity. After birth, premature babies can consume DHA through feeding to better improve the development of brain, retina, skin, kidney function, neurocognition and motor function.