DHA For Children | Nutrition For Early Childhood

Docosahexaenoic acid, DHA, an omega-3 fatty acid found throughout the body, is a major structural fat in the brain and eyes, representing about 97% of all omega-3 fats in the brain and 93% of all omega-3 fats in the retina. It is also a key component of the heart. DHA is important for brain and eye development and function throughout the lifecycle, but is particularly important during the first two years of life and early childhood. Between birth and five years of age, the human brain increases approximately 3.5 times in mass. It is important that children consume adequate amounts of DHA in their diet to support this period of rapid brain and eye growth and development. DHA ensures that cells in the brain, retina, heart and other parts of the nervous system develop and function properly.