HEALTH REPORT
Boost your child’s brain
D iscover which development, naturally. Helping your child through learning and developmental challenges can be overwhelming. A child’s brain processes information differently from an adult one, so ensuring the brain is given the right nutrients will help. Sixty percent of the brain consists of oils and fats, so supplying the right fats is vital for the health of a child’s brain. PUFAs (polyunsaturated fatty acids) are ‘brain food’ and the key ones are omega fatty acids, particularly omega-3 and omega-6. Some PUFAs are classed as essential, meaning we can’t make them but must get them from food. nutrients support your child’s learning The typical Western diet lacks essential oils and fats, and so supplementation is necessary to ensure we get the right balance of these oils. When eaten or taken as a supplement, some omega-3 and omega-6 is transformed into other PUFAs involved in essential processes within the body and brain, including supporting a child’s learning development. Omega-3: Whenwe eat foods containing omega-3 alpha linolenic acid (ALA), the body enlists enzymes to change their
structure and transform ALA into different PUFAs, which
in turn generate a new type of PUFA called eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). The body can also change some of this EPA into docosahexaenoic acid (or DHA). EPA and DHA are the superstars in brain health.
Omega-6: The body does the same thing with foods containing omega-6 linoleic acid (LA). One of the important PUFAs emerging from this transformation is the anti-inflammatory gamma-linolenic acid (GLA). EPA and DHA have been researched extensively for brain health and function. Studies show deficiencies affect memory, non-verbal cognitive development, processing speed, visual perception, attention, executive functioning (planning and organising), reading and spelling. Put simply, feeding the brain with the right balance and ratio of EPA, DHA and GLA benefits brain development and health. Some evidence suggests that too much omega-6 and too little omega-3 in the diet increases inflammation. However, studies also show that the correct intake of EPA, DHA and GLA creates significant improvement in
cognition and brain function, especially in children with learning challenges. The right foods and nutrients build brain health. Even small changes - like one fish meal a week, preferably oily fish like salmon or sardines - have a positive impact. The recommended fish intake for adults is one to two servings per week. However, many adults do not eat enough fish to provide enough PUFAs, and children have even lower intakes, so supplementation is recommended, talk with a Go Vita health consultant about EPA/DHA capsules or a child-friendly chewable option. References available on request
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ISSUE 62 • 2021
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