Issue link: http://cp.revolio.com/i/307386
Page 10 | Abby's Magazine - www.AbbysMag.com DHA (Dacosa Hexanoic Acid) an essential fatty acid (our bodies cannot make it) is the most important natural brain enhancer. DHA is a critically important nutrient no matter our age or state of health. Potentially it can be made from other essential fats, but this capacity decreases with age. Even in healthy people DHA intake on a daily basis is essential. DHA is a building block for the cell membrane of all of our 60-70 trillion cells! It has a powerful fluidizing effect that allows movement of nutrients within the cell membrane. The cell membranes of the brain's gray matter and the retina of the eye require more DHA than any other membranes. DHA for Mother and Child DHA's crucial importance begins at conception. DHA in the sperm's cell membrane allows this cell to swim vigorously and fertilize the egg. DHA becomes even more important as the fetal heart and brain develop. By the last trimester, DHA is more concentrated in the brain and retina. This intensive DHA build up continues until birth. Babies born with poor DHA levels (usually from mother's low levels) are more likely to have poor sleep patterns, slower processing, visual and cognitive limitations, compared to those from mothers with good DHA status. After birth, mother transfers DHA to her baby through her breast milk. The DHA concentration in mother's milk is dependent upon the intake of DHA by mom. Lack of DHA especially hurts infants born prematurely. Preemies average lower brain DHA compared to full- term infants. If the lactating mother lacks adequate DHA, her baby has long term risk for poor vision, and problems with learning, self control, mood and other mental functions. The evidence is very clear: adequate DHA intake before and during pregnancy and lactation are crucial for both mother and child! DHA for Memory and Brain Performance at Any Age DHA status is linked to brain performance all through life. The clinical evidence suggests that giving a "difficult child" DHA will likely improve behavior and academic performance in school. For middle-aged people, findings from populations studies suggest that the higher their blood DHA the lower their risk for severe memory loss, as compared to their peers with low DHA. For the middle-aged and elderly, good DHA status is linked to better reaction time, sharper attention, and better performance on tests of memory, reasoning and vocabulary. Recent research advances prove that nutrients can have direct effects on gene activity. This research field is called "nutrigenomics". DHA has positive gene actions in the brain that contribute to the brain's ongoing renewal and adaptability. Among these are: • Natural regulator of genes that manage brain development, maturation, and maintenance. • Regulates genes involved with mood management, behavior, and violence control. • Promotes the maturation of nerve cells and their capacity to make connections (synapses). • Improves membrane fluidity at the synapses. Much of the DHA at the synapses is molecularly linked in with PS (PhosphatidylSerine), another very important brain nutrient. • Potentiates NGF (nerve growth factor), BDNF (brain- derived neurotrophic factor) and other growth factors that stimulate the repair and renewal of the synapse Importance of DHA Importance of DHA