Posted on 09/15/2009 7:04:04 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
Miami, FL (AHN) - Babies fed formula supplemented with an essential fatty acid found in breast milk have higher cognitive skills than babies fed formula alone, according to a new study.
Previous research already showed the cognitive benefits of breastfeeding, but University of Texas researchers and scientists with the Retina Foundation of the Southwest said they have discovered that the fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA, could be the reason.
The scientists studied 229 infants receiving either formula or a combination of formula and DHA. The babies were given the different formulas either shortly after they were born, after six weeks of breastfeeding, or after four to six months of breastfeeding.
The babies were given a problem-solving test when they were 9 months old where they had to complete a series of steps to get a rattle. The scientists said in a statement that the babies who were fed the DHA-supplemented formula were more likely to get the rattle and showed more intentional behaviors that allowed them to get the rattle.
The study is published in the September/October issue of the journal Child Development.
Thought this wasgoing to mbe about BEER! Drats!
LOL!
Truth be told!
According to Wikipedia, fish oils are rich in DHA.
So the old saying that “fish is brain food” is true!
Wonder if this might explain some (or most) of the backwards thinking that’s going on today in all facets of society.
King Cobra formula.
I believe I have read that between a quarter and a third of the brain is DHA.
OK. Fine.
Now I know what I've been doing wrong all these years.
give some to poor Granny
With 80% of the Brain being built of Essential FATS and CHOLESTEROL, I can’t believe they’ve FINALLY FIGURED THIS STUFF OUT.
Then WHY is the FDA and our Government trying to make these things ILLEGAL??
Or it could be that babies fed DHA just developed more of a fondness for rattles. /joke
I believe I was breast milk and formula fed, as were my younger brothers.
I was a late bloomer, with speech kicking in full blown at almost 4 years old. Parents thought I was going to be mute until I started talking in complete sentences one day. Apparently I never did shut up after I decided that it was time to say something.
First words were allegedly, “Mom, look at the light,” while pointing at the crystal chandelier in the big dining room.
My brothers were more normal.
Well, we've raised a generation with the low fat diet thing going on...and look who they elected.
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