At what age is it best for children to supplement with DHA

The optimal period for infants and young children to supplement DHA is from 6 months to 3 years old after birth. DHA plays an important role in brain and visual development, mainly obtained through breast milk, formula milk, deep-sea fish, and other sources. Supplementing DHA should consider factors such as feeding methods, growth and development stages, dietary structure, allergy history, and doctor's advice.

1. From 6 months to 1 year old

This stage is the peak of brain development, and breastfed infants can obtain DHA through their mother's diet. Breastfeeding women can meet their needs by eating deep-sea fish two to three times a week. Infants fed formula milk can choose formula milk with added DHA. Premature supplementation may increase the gastrointestinal burden on infants, and there is no need to supplement with additional DHA supplements. 2. Children aged 1 to 2 years old can obtain DHA through food sources such as salmon, cod, algae, etc. after starting to add complementary foods. The recommended daily intake of DHA during this stage is about 100 milligrams, and excessive supplementation may affect coagulation function. Children who are allergic to seafood can choose algae oil DHA supplements, but they need to use them under the guidance of a doctor. From 2 to 3 years old, the rate of brain development slows down but persists, and DHA needs can be met through a balanced diet. Eating deep-sea fish two to three times a week, combined with alpha linolenic acid rich foods such as flaxseed oil and walnuts, can partially convert it into DHA in the body. Children who are picky eaters or have an unbalanced diet can supplement with DHA in the short term, but should not rely on supplements for the long term. 4. Healthy children over 3 years old usually do not require additional supplementation of DHA and can meet their needs through a normal diet. Children with attention deficit, reading disorders, and other conditions can supplement appropriately after evaluation by a doctor. Excessive supplementation may lead to adverse reactions such as diarrhea and nausea, and has no additional benefits for cognitive improvement.

5. In special circumstances [SEP], premature infants and low birth weight infants should supplement DHA from birth under the guidance of a doctor to help them catch up with growth. Children with metabolic disorders or fat absorption disorders need to supplement DHA through medical nutritional therapy. Any supplement should be consulted with pediatrics before use to avoid interaction with other nutrients.

In daily diet, parents can preferentially choose fresh deep-sea fish as the source of DHA, such as salmon, sardine, etc., and use steamed or low-temperature baked cooking to retain nutrition. Children who are allergic to seafood can choose eggs or algae products that are fortified with DHA. When choosing supplements, pay attention to the ingredient ratio to avoid supplementing multiple DHA containing products at the same time. Regular monitoring of children's growth and development curves is more important than simply supplementing with DHA. Good sleep, exercise, and parent-child interaction also contribute to neurological development.