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You may have heard a little about DHA from some children’s ads on TV, but have you ever wondered what it really is?

Docosahexaenoic acid, commonly known as DHA, is a long-chain type of omega-3 fatty acid.  It is an essential component in the brain and in the eyes.  As such, it is an important nutrient needed for optimal brain and eye function.

The Importance of DHA to Kids’ Health

According to natural health expert Dr. Joseph Mercola, DHA is crucial in the early years of a child’s life.  This nutrient helps children improve their developing mind and body.  DHA helps support your child in the following areas, some of which include:

•    Cognitive function
•    Muscle function and coordination
•    Social development
•    Increased visual acuity
•    Behavior

In infants, breast milk, which naturally contains DHA, is needed to help their rapidly growing brain.  In fact, studies reveal that breast-fed infants are found to score higher in IQ than those who fed on baby formulas that lack DHA.

As children grow, they need sufficient level of DHA to support their brain development as well as their overall health.   They can receive this from eating foods such as fishes, walnuts, flax seeds, soybeans and other vegetables – all of which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids that help produce DHA.

Low DHA Intake in the Young

However, most kids’ diets today lack the right DHA requirement.  This stems from a number of reasons. One of which is because the diets contain foods that are poor in beneficial DHA.  Even if kids can get the nutrient from simply eating fish, Dr. Mercola says that it is “not a good choice anymore.” This is because most kids avoid or dislike eating fish.  And also, as fish has become contaminated with pollutants and toxins in the ocean over the years, it is not recommended as well.  Actually, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have warned against the consumption of certain fish and shellfish for young children.

As an alternative, DHA supplements like fish oil and krill oil have been used to remedy this problem. A good example would be the Kids’ Krill Oil, which contains omega-3 and antioxidants that help kids’ have the best health and brain development possible.

To learn more about DHA and how it can help support your child’s health, visit this site often for more related information.

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