Fall is around the corner and school bells are set to start ringing soon. The mad dash to buy school supplies and dress code appropriate clothing has everyone’s focus.

Although these things are essential to getting a good start to the school year, there is one thing that needs to be considered. What supplements should your child be taking that could help improve their school performance. One such supplement should be DHA.

DHA stands for "docosahexaenoic acid." It is a polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid (22:6 n3) and is considered a beneficial fat. DHA is critical for the optimal development and function of the brain, eyes, and central nervous system during infancy and childhood. The brain grows rapidly throughout the first years of life, and DHA usage by the brain is significant during this time.

Babies get DHA from breast milk, where it is found naturally. Infant formulas are now being supplemented with DHA. But when young children are weaned from breast milk or formula to solid foods, their intake of DHA tends to decrease.

Natural sources of DHA are found in:

Breast milk

Organ meats

Seafood, especially oily, cold-water fish such as salmon, herring, sardines, and anchovies

Algae



Because DHA makes up a large portion of the brain and the retinas of the eyes, a deficiency could negatively impact the development or function of these organs. Studies revealed that babies with higher DHA levels have better mental and visual function. In addition, children who were breastfed tend to have higher IQ scores and better academic performance than those who were formula-fed; this is believed to be partly related to the high DHA content of breast milk. This Essential Fatty Acid is important factor in concentration. Furthermore, studies in 2004, boys who were diagnosed with ADHD had low levels of DHA present in their blood lipids.* Meanwhile, a study in 2008 who studied pre-children with high levels of DHA had higher cognition and vocabulary scores.*

In addition to diet, there are several choices of supplements available to help increase your child’s DHA levels. Care must be taken when purchasing any Essential Fatty Acid. Fish are similar to humans in the manner handling a toxic load. Those toxins that cannot be excreted are stored in fat. This is the key reason why there are limits on how much fish children and pregnant women should consume per week to limit the toxins ingested. Special care must be taken when these fish fats are processed to insure that the toxins have been removed.

Creative Compounds carry professional lines of Essential Fatty Acids from reputable companies. These companies provide a certificate of analysis proving the toxin levels are within low acceptable levels. Buying Essential Fatty Acids from a box store are sometimes more economical there’s no analysis of the composition available. The dollars saved is not worth the risk of your child’s long term health. Creative Compounds staff can make recommendation on the supplement that will fit your child’s needs.

ActaP – Benefits of oily fish and omega-3, increased IQ
Aberg MA, Aberg N, Brisman J, et al. Fish intake of Swedish male adolescents is a predictor of cognitive performance. Acta Paediatr. 2009;98(3):555-60.

2004-12-25 AJCN - Boys with ADHD have lower levels of key essential fats
Stevens L, Zentall S, Deck J et al. Essential fatty acid metabolism in boys with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Am J Clin Nut 1995; 62:761-768.

CP - High DHA blood levels are positively correlated to preschool children's listening comprehension and vocabulary.
Ryan A, Nelson E. Assessing the effect of docosahexaenoic acid on cognitive functions in healthy, preschool children: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2008;47(4):355-62