What is DHA?
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA for short) is a vital member of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid family, with a systematic name of all-cis-4,7,10,13,16,19-docosahexaenoic acid. Due to its unique structure with five double bonds, DHA plays a special and important role in human health. DHA is mainly present in the cerebral cortex and retina of the human body. Research has shown that DHA plays an important role in preventing cerebral thrombosis, promoting infant brain synthesis, intellectual development in infants and young children, anti-inflammatory effects, and anti-arrhythmia. Based on these important functions of DHA, it has been widely used in food, medicine, and feed industries.
What are the benefits of DHA for babies?
DHA promotes the maturation of retinal photoreceptor cells, which is beneficial for the development of visual nerve cells.
DHA promotes the development of brain cells. DHA is the main component of nerve transmission cells and cell membranes. It can maintain the normal physiological activities of nerve cells and participate in the process of brain thinking and memory formation.
Other effects of DHA are gradually being recognized and confirmed. It has been found that DHA also plays a very important role in adults, such as reducing postpartum anxiety and delaying Alzheimer's disease.
How can babies supplement DHA?
First, it should be noted that DHA and cod- liver oil are not the same thing. Cod- liver oil contains vitamins A and D, and some parents may mistakenly believe that it is the same as DHA because both contain the letters A and D, but they are actually different. Vitamin D is a vitamin that infants regularly need to externally supplement after birth.
Does DHA also require external supplementation? Yes. The human body cannot produce enough DHA to meet its own needs, and DHA is an essential nutrient for brain development. Therefore, it is necessary to intake DHA to compensate.
The method of supplementation for DHA varies depending on the feeding method
- For babies exclusively breastfed from 0 to 6 months
For babies exclusively breastfed from 0 to 6 months, breast milk is the best source of DHA. Therefore, it is important for mothers to have an adequate amount of DHA in their bodies. The "Feeding Recommendations for Infants and Young Children 0-3 Years" issued by the Chinese Medical Association Pediatric Health Group at the end of 2016 states that a balanced diet and 1-2 servings of deep-sea fish per week for healthy mothers can ensure sufficient levels of DHA in breast milk without the need for additional supplements.
However, if the mother has malnutrition or follows a vegetarian diet, in addition to supplementing with multiple vitamins, extra DHA supplementation may be necessary. To avoid excessive mercury intake, it is recommended to avoid consuming large fish species. While exceeding the mercury limit in deep-sea fish is a concern, the general principle is for mothers to regularly consume relatively safe deep-sea fish and consider supplemental DHA if needed.
- For babies fed with formula milk from 0 to 6 months
Since babies fed with formula milk cannot receive high-quality and sufficient DHA from breast milk, it is crucial to choose formula milk that contains an adequate and easily absorbed amount of DHA. If the formula milk does not specifically indicate the addition of DHA but the baby is already accustomed to the current formula milk and is growing well, DHA supplementation can be considered with an appropriate form of supplement. DHA supplements are available in the form of fish oil or algae-derived sources. For young babies, supplements derived from algae are more suitable.
- Feeding after 6 months
For babies who start complementary feeding after 6 months, the same principle applies as before. Breast milk remains the best source of DHA, and a mother's balanced diet can ensure an adequate supply of DHA. Formula milk with sufficient DHA content can also meet the baby's needs. If the formula milk does not contain added DHA, additional supplementation can be considered.
After introducing complementary foods, it is advisable to consciously include foods rich in DHA in the baby's diet. However, this should be based on the baby's age, tolerance to complementary foods, and any allergies they may have. For example, deep-sea fish, especially fatty fish, and fish oil are relatively high in DHA. Algae-based foods are also suitable, although there are limited options for babies. Nuts and dried fruits are not ideal sources of DHA because walnuts, for example, contain alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) which can be converted into DHA in the body but at a very low rate. It is not recommended for children under 3 years old to consume whole nuts directly due to the risk of choking, and caution should be exercised with allergic infants.
Therefore, it is crucial to supplement with safe deep-sea fish and algae-based foods. For babies over 2 years old who have stopped breastfeeding, it is recommended to continue consuming dairy products. Depending on whether the dairy products contain DHA and the baby's dietary habits, supplementation with DHA supplements can be considered as needed.
In summary, DHA is known as "brain gold" and is beneficial for the development of a baby's brain and retina. Breast milk is the best source, but other options such as formula milk with added DHA, deep-sea fish, algae-based foods, nuts, and DHA supplements are important ways to obtain DHA for babies. The choice of intake method depends on the baby's age and feeding method.
HSF Biotech Fermtek™ Schizochytrium Algal DHA Oil
Currently, industrial production of DHA primarily relies on extraction from deep-sea fish oil. However, the extraction process from fish oil has several drawbacks. These include a strong fishy odor, high cholesterol content, susceptibility to climate and location variations resulting in unstable DHA levels.
Additionally, DHA is often accompanied by EPA in fish oil, making the separation process complex and extraction costs high. These disadvantages severely hinder the industrial development of DHA. The use of fermentation to produce DHA has attracted significant attention from researchers both domestically and internationally due to its advantages, such as high content, stable product quality and yield, simple fatty acid composition, absence of fishy odor, and ease of extraction.
HSF Biotech Company is a company that specializes in the production of Schizochytrium Algal DHA Oil. This type of oil is derived from a unique strain of microalgae called Schizochytrium, which is known for its high levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).
Schizochytrium Algal DHA Oil is a vegan and sustainable alternative to traditional fish-based DHA supplements. It is highly bioavailable, making it an excellent source of DHA for individuals who do not consume fish or fish products.
HSF Biotech's production process ensures that the Schizochytrium Algal DHA Oil is of the highest quality and purity. The company uses advanced technology to extract and purify the oil, while also minimizing any negative impacts on the environment.
HSF Biotech's Schizochytrium Algal DHA Oil is a premium product that offers a safe, effective, and sustainable source of DHA for individuals seeking to improve their overall health and well-being.
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