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Healthy Living >>> Pregnancy Articles & News
Bigger Better Babies Part 3By: DAVE WOYNAROWSKI, M.D.The World's Top Anti-Aging Specialist In just a moment, I'm going to share an interesting article with you. Since this article abstract is essentially public domain e.g. available to anyone via the PubMed website, I decided to print the whole abstract for you and to start my email with the reference. One thing I'd like you to keep in mind is that as this article points out, many of the things that seem to be problems in babies and newborns are also problems in later life. Sometimes it's because of having them in childhood that they carry over into adulthood. Sometimes they simply develop in adulthood. Often times they are the result of poor nutirion and are correctable with nutritional therapy like fish oil instead of dangerous drugs! Once you read it, I want to talk a little bit more about brain development and abnormalities that present in childhood. Alright, here's the article: ============================================================ Health benefits of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (DHA is a major part of my Pharmaceutical Grade fish Oil sic.. Doc) Horrocks LA, Yeo YK. Docosa Foods Ltd, 1275 Kinnear Road, Columbus, OH 43212-1155, USA, Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is essential for the growth and functional development of the brain in infants. DHA is also required for maintenance of normal brain function in adults. The inclusion of plentiful DHA in the diet improves learning ability, whereas deficiencies of DHA are associated with deficits in learning. DHA is taken up by the brain in preference to other fatty acids. The turnover of DHA in the brain is very fast, more so than is generally realized. The visual acuity of healthy, full-term, formula-fed infants is increased when their formula includes DHA. During the last 50 years, many infants have been fed formula diets lacking DHA and other omega-3 fatty acids. DHA deficiencies are associated with foetal alcohol syndrome, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, cystic fibrosis, phenylketonuria, unipolar depression, aggressive hostility, and adrenoleukodystrophy. Decreases in DHA in the brain are associated with cognitive decline during aging and with onset of sporadic Alzheimer disease. The leading cause of death in western nations is cardiovascular disease. Epidemiological studies have shown a strong correlation between fish consumption and reduction in sudden death from myocardial infarction. The reduction is approximately 50% with 200 mg day(-1)of DHA from fish. DHA is the active component in fish. Not only does fish oil reduce triglycerides in the blood and decrease thrombosis, but it also prevents cardiac arrhythmias. The association of DHA deficiency with depression is the reason for the robust positive correlation between depression and myocardial infarction. Patients with cardiovascular disease or Type II diabetes are often advised to adopt a low-fat diet with a high proportion of carbohydrate. A study with women shows that this type of diet increases plasma triglycerides and the severity of Type II diabetes and coronary heart disease. DHA is present in fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel) and mother's milk. DHA is present at low levels in meat and eggs, but is not usually present in infant formulas. EPA, another long-chain n-3 fatty acid, is also present in fatty fish. The shorter chain n-3 fatty acid, alpha-linolenic acid, is not converted very well to DHA in man. These longchain n-3 fatty acids (also known as omega-3 fatty acids) are now becoming available in some foods, especially infant formula and eggs in Europe and Japan. Fish oil decreases the proliferation of tumour cells, whereas arachidonic acid, a longchain n-6 fatty acid, increases their proliferation. These opposite effects are also seen with inflammation, particularly with rheumatoid arthritis, and with asthma. DHA has a positive effect on diseases such as hypertension, arthritis, atherosclerosis, depression, adult-onset diabetes mellitus, myocardial infarction, thrombosis, and some cancers. Copyright 1999 Academic Press. Publication Types: • Review • Review, Tutorial PMID: 10479465 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] ============================================================ There is a lot of research going on with Omega 3 fatty acids and ADHD which points to a positive effect. The final word is not in yet however, but given the safety of this type of therapy I encourage it in both my young and older ADHD patients. Two very specific behavioral outcomes seem to be proven without much doubt.1) Most studies that looked for it noted an improvement in oppositional defiant behavior in those supplemented with the Omega 3's (BTW this one was supplements, not just eating more fish. they finally learned!) and 2) there was a decrease in disruptive behavior. Anyone who teaches or parents this type of child will tell you those are 2 very important behavior modifications. I usually recommend 2 capsules a day with meals for children from 3 to 10 and 4 capsules a day with meals for those over 10.
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