I've noticed that DHA is being added to babyfood.  Why isn't DHA added to any Tastybaby flavors? - Maria from MA

Hi Maria, this is a really great question, so thank you for writing in!

What is DHA?

 DHA is a type of poly-unsaturated fat (PUFA), which is also an essential fatty acid (meaning our bodies cannot synthesize it so we must obtain it from diet).   DHA is also one of the three specific types of PUFA called omega 3 fatty acids.  The three omega 3 fatty acids are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA).  ALA is converted into DHA and EPA in the body, but this conversion is not very efficient and for this reason DHA and EPA are typically considered essential along with ALA.  ALA is found in walnuts, flaxseeds (and flaxseed oil), and canola oil, while DHA and EPA are only found in fatty fish and fish oil.

DHA is found naturally in breast milk – but the levels vary considerably depending on the mother's diet. 

DHA's role in health and development

DHA is an integral component of our brain's structure and function – it is the primary structural component of brain tissue and is also found in the retina of the eye.  DHA, because of its concentration in brain gray matter and the retina, has been linked through several large studies with brain development and visual acuity, though this research is still relatively new.  DHA is currently added to some infant formula to make it more like breastmilk, though experts have yet to weigh in on this with any concrete comments until more research data is available (a recent research review concluded that while no harmful effects were found with DHA formula use, the benefits were not strong enough to merit recommendation).

Current research/ conclusions of research

Most current research is conducted in pregnant and/or breastfeeding women, older children, and adults.  Very few studies look at direct supplementation of infants and toddlers.  This is a hot topic and current research looking more closely at actual supplementation of infants and toddlers, as well as the creation of safe daily consumption levels, is underway.

• Infants who have low amounts of DHA in their diet have reduced brain development and diminished visual acuity.
• Cultures whose diet is high in omega 3 fatty acids (such as the Eskimos) have a lower incidence of degenerative diseases of the central nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis.
• Animals whose diets are low in DHA have been found to have smaller brains and delayed central nervous system development.
• Some children with poor school performance because of ADD, have been shown to have insufficient essential fatty acids in their diet.
• Changes in brain concentrations of DHA are positively associated with changes in cognitive or behavioral performance.
• Only 5 percent of children ages 2 to 3 met the recommended intake of Omega-3 oil.
• Improved verbal learning and memory in 6- to 9-year-old children provided with an Omega-3 source. 
• Accelerated vision development of DHA-supplemented 6- to 12-month-old weaned infants
• Children whose mothers consumed fish oil during pregnancy through 3 months post-partum scored higher on a standard mental development test at 4 years old, than children whose mothers received corn oil.
• 5- to 12-year-old children with developmental coordination disorders who received fish oil containing DHA and EPA had significant improvements in learning, behavior and psychosocial adjustment. 

Amounts recommended/used in studies

Breast milk contains 17mg per 100 calories.  Stonyfield uses this amount in their DHA fortified baby yogurt.  There is no safe upper limit established for infants and toddlers.  Two well-respected journals have published research and recommendations that suggested that pregnant and lactating women get 200-300mg DHA each day.  The American Heart Association recommends 500-1800mg of combined EPA/DHA daily.  There is no safe upper limit set for adults, with the FDA recognizing dosing up to 3000mg per day as safe.  In adults, the consequences of too much DHA are decreased ability of the blood to clot and decreased immune system function.

Current statements/ stances from respected experts

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) does not have a statement on DHA due to lack of research data/evidence at this point

Our recommendations:

The research looking at infant/toddler intake (as opposed to prenatal intake and the intake of breastfeeding moms) isn't strong enough to indicate a need for supplementation of infant and toddler food with DHA nor does it indicate a strong reason not to supplement this population with DHA.  Until more can be said definitively about the safety, efficacy, and recommended amounts, it's best to hold off on adding supplemental DHA to infant and toddler food products.  However, since there is also no evidence to indicate that there are any safety issues to adding DHA to foods for toddlers or even infants, we suspect that food manufacturers will continue adding it to more foods as a value added to their products. 

As far as adding DHA to Tastybaby products, we think that creating a product that is naturally rich in DHA would be ideal.  Thus, you are sticking to one of Tastybaby's very strong draws, supplying completely natural, whole foods, to young babies and toddlers.  Wild Alaskan salmon is a low mercury fish choice that is an excellent whole food source of DHA (not to mention protein and vitamin D) and might be something to consider using in a Stage 2 or 3 flavor. 

If you are leaning towards adding DHA in a form other than fish, Martek's algae-derived life's DHA product provides DHA without using animal products and without the risk for mercury contamination.