Good nutrition boosts brain power!

Fancy that - science is making the link between nutrition and cognitive performance! The omega-3s (in particular DHA - docosahexaenoic acid) are just some of the specific factors mentioned, which along with the essential fatty acids, include trace elements and vitamins. Those particularly linked to improved brain health are biotin, folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, thiamine and vitamins B6 and B12. That means a high potency B-complex will provide all those and more) then iodine, iron, calcium and zinc (look for all the trace elements in a multi-B/mineral complex).

Interesting that the studies also mention water as a brain food - no doubt about the importance of properly hydrated cells, but I’d strongly recommend water from a high quality filter rather than what comes straight from the tap. If you’ve been following my blog you’ll also know that new studies link optimal gut health to neurotransmitter production and reduction in incidence of depression - an important finding for prospective mums to keep in mind.

Also relevant to my work is the importance of ensuring an abundance of all the factors that promote optimal mental development and function in the time before conception. Make whole food, grown on healthy soil, your foundation nutrient source, then add a comprehensive, balanced combination of all of the above with a high potency probiotic as well! All the details of best supplements and more ... 

Omega-3s - research confirms the importance during pregnancy

600mg of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) daily will reduce the incidence of babies born before 34 weeks and those born under normal weight according to this new study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. And the study is only at the half-way point - five years into the 10 year double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial.

350 women are participating and those on the supplement are demonstrating longer period of gestation, increased birth weight, and their babies are longer and have bigger head circumferences. A bigger head is not surprising since DHA is intimately involved in foetal brain development, accumulating most readily in the brain during pregnancy (as opposed to post-natally). 

It’s proposed that this study will also look at the child up to the age of 6, assessing intelligence and school-readiness, with further, longer term assessments of markers and milestones for overall health and wellbeing. No doubt about the importance of robust and comprehensive supplementation during your pregnancy. 

But this study also raises a question ... does the supplement differ substantially if the DHA is sourced from fish, krill, squid, salmon or algae? Given the burgeoning size of the omega-3 supplement market, which source of DHA is truly sustainable? Watch this space and click here if you want all the reasons for supplementing before and during pregnancy?