According to a new study, preterm infant girls who receive a high amount of omega-3 fatty acid are more likely to have higher measures of neurodevelopment than those who receive the standard amount of DHA. DHA is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid, recognized for its role in brain development.

 

Australian researchers decided to test the role of the fatty acid, DHA, in the fight against mental retardation. The team focused on 657 babies born before 33 weeks — about seven weeks before the end of the average 40-week pregnancy. Because premature infants are often brought into the world before their brains have fully developed, some may lack adequate DHA while their brains are still growing.

 

The participants were randomized to high-DHA (approximately 1 percent total fatty acids) compared with standard DHA (approximately 0.3 percent total fatty acids) from day 2 to 4 of life until the infants reached their expected date of delivery. They got the necessary amount of DHA from either breast milk or infant formula. Mothers were also given six 500-mg DHA-rich tuna oil capsules per day to achieve a high breast milk DHA concentration.

The researchers used the Bayley Mental Development Index (MDI), which evaluates memory, problem solving, early number concepts and language, to measure the neurological development of the infants.

 

Girls who received extra DHA either in formula or breast milk scored higher on the tests. They were 57 percent less likely to have a mild delay in mental development and 83 percent less likely to have a severe delay, compared with girls not getting the supplement.

Some scientists argue that the amount of DHA in breast milk or infant formula may be insufficient for building brain matter in preemies. The study started from the idea that adding DHA to the diet of a preterm infant could improve mental development in such kids.

 

The researchers conclude that DHA is really important for the development of the brain in the womb, and the eyes and visual acuity. Maria Makrides, deputy director of the Women's and Children's Health Research Institute and professor of human nutrition at the University of Adelaide, Australia, and lead-author of the study suggests the level of DHA used in the study should become the “new ‘gold standard’ for preterm infants, whether it is supplied through breast milk or infant formula.”

 

The fact that fish oil and its significant component, omega-3 fatty acid, can improve brain power, help with major depression, schizophrenia, and postpartum depression, or reduce chances of developing Alzheimer’s is not a secret anymore. More than that, studies have shown that the omega-3 fatty acid content in fish is responsible for making people smarter. People who eat at least 10 grams of fish per day have better scores on mental tests than those who restrict their intake of fish.

Omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is found in fish oil, raises the production of LR11. LR11 is a protein which exists at excessively low levels among Alzheimer’s disease patients. LR11 is known to destroy the protein that forms the plaques linked to the disease.