Omega 3 to improve infant visual acuity

A new clinical trial in the US has vindicated a study conducted by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) for DHA-related brain and eye health claims for infants. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is more commonly known as Omega 3 fatty acid. The EFSA panel agreed that DHA levels of 100mg of per day were appropriate for 7-24 month-old infants along with 200mg per day for pregnant and lactating women.

It was announced from the US trial and the EFSA findings that: “DHA intake can contribute to normal development of the eye of the foetus, infant and young children”, and“DHA intake can contribute to the visual development of the infant”.

Doses of 0.32 and 0.64 per cent DHA led to improvements in eye health of infants, compared to infants fed non-supplemented formula, according to new results published in the prestigious American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

While it is agreed that breastfeeding is the best way to ensure an infant receives the nutrients it needs in its first months, formulas are indispensable in some cases. Manufacturers of formula's must proceed with caution with the emotive subject that perhaps fortified formula, especially with added DHA, could be as good or even better than Mothers' milk.