DHA Omega-3 for Every Age and Every Stage of Life

DHA Supports Growing Minds

Developing infants cannot produce DHA and must receive this vital nutrient from the mother through the placenta during pregnancy and in breast milk or DHA supplemented infant formula after birth.

As children grow and develop, they never lose their need for DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). DHA is a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid that is important for brain, eye, and heart health at every stage of life. It ensures that cells in the brain, retina, heart and other parts of the nervous system develop and function properly. But it is particularly important during infancy and early childhood when the brain and eyes are rapidly growing and developing.

Here's Why DHA Is So Essential

• DHA represents up to 97% of the omega-3 fatty acids in the brain and is especially concentrated in the area responsible for complex thinking skills.
• Between birth and 5 years of age, the human brain increases approximately 3.5 times in mass.³⁰
• DHA represents up to 93% of omega-3 fatty acids in the eye (retina) and is necessary for optimal structure and function of nerve cells in the eyes.

Deficits Easy to Remedy

Despite this important role, most American children consume only 20 to 30 mg of DHA daily, too low to support optimal growth and development. This is not surprising, since primary dietary sources of DHA are fatty fish and organ meats-not popular foods for young children.

To support your children's ongoing growth and development, look for fortified foods and supplements that contain life'sDHA^™ by Martek. life'sDHA^™ is derived from microalgae and does not contain fish or fish oil, which might contain unwanted oceanic pollutants and toxins. life'sDHA^™ is a safe source of DHA and the only source of DHA currently used to fortify baby formulas in the U.S.