AA :
Arachidonic acid is one of the important biological fatty acids that plays an important role in human health. This fatty acid is found in the body cells and is abundant in the brain, muscle and liver. "Arachidonic acid", is an omega-6 fatty acid and essential for children, but it is made in the adult body by its precursor, "linoleic acid."
Importance of "AA" for Baby :
- Evolution of brain and nervous system
- Increase problem-solving power and improve learning
- Better development of visual power
- Increase immune strength
DHA :
DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is a beneficial fatty acid in the body that is abundant in fatty fish. This fatty acid, which is a part of omega-3 fatty acids, is also present in breast milk and plays an important role in the growth and development of the baby. DHA is a key component of the brain, nervous system and eyes. DHA accumulates in the retina membrane and gray matter of the brain during the last three months of pregnancy and the first two years after the birth, and plays an important role in development of neonatal vision and nervous system.
Importance of "DHA" for the baby :
- Improve brain function
- Improve memory and learning
- Increase visual power
- Increase immune strength
The effect of AA and DHA on children’s intelligence :
As shown below, an increase in the DHA/AA ratio had a positive effect on the intelligence scores of 6-year-old children. So that the best ratio of DHA/AA in the formula is 1.
References
E.L. Lien, C. Richard, D.R. Hoffman. DHA and ARA addition to infant formula: current status and future research directions. Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids (2017).
B. Jasani, K. Simmer, S.K. Patole, S.C. Rao, Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in infants born at term., Cochrane Database Syst. Rev. 3 (2017).
John Colombo, D. Jill Shaddy, Elizabeth H. Kerling, Kathleen M. Gustafson and Susan E. Carlson, DHA and ARA Balance in Developmental Outcomes, Prostaglandins Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids (2017)