What is dha+ara

DHA and ARA are two important unsaturated fatty acids, DHA stands for docosahexaenoic acid and ARA stands for arachidonic acid, both of which are key nutrients for the brain and visual development of infants and young children. DHA and ARA are mainly found in breast milk, deep-sea fish oil, algae, and some fortified foods. The human body can produce them through the conversion of linolenic acid and linoleic acid, but infants and young children have limited synthesis ability and need additional supplementation.

1. DHA Function

DHA is the main structural component of the cerebral cortex and retina, accounting for over 20% of the total fatty acids in the brain. Supplementing DHA during pregnancy and lactation can promote fetal neural tube development, and intake in infants and young children can enhance cognitive function and visual acuity. Lack of DHA may lead to decreased learning ability and delayed visual development, and premature infants need to pay more attention to supplementation.

2. ARA Function

ARA, as a precursor of prostaglandins, participates in regulating immune responses and inflammation repair. During the infant and toddler stages, ARA promotes brain cell proliferation and synapse formation, and works synergistically with DHA to maintain neurological development. The content of ARA in breast milk is usually higher than DHA, and formula milk powder needs to be added proportionally to simulate the composition of breast milk.

3. Natural sources

Deep sea fish such as salmon and tuna are rich in DHA, while animal liver and egg yolks contain more ARA. Algae oil is an ideal choice for vegetarians to obtain DHA, and the linolenic acid in certain nut seeds can be converted into DHA in the body. Infant formula foods often contain DHA and ARA extracted from microbial fermentation to ensure safety and stability.

4. Supplementary Recommendations

Pregnant women are recommended to consume at least 200 milligrams of DHA per day, and lactating women can obtain it through fish or supplements. Infants and young children should prioritize supplementation through breast milk or fortified formula, as early use of fish oil may increase digestive burden. When choosing a DHA+ARA combination supplement, it is important to pay attention to the ratio of the two and whether there are any allergens present.

5. Precautions

Excessive supplementation of ARA may increase the risk of inflammation, and DHA intake exceeding 3 grams per day may cause bleeding tendency. People with special physical conditions should consult before use that the opened algal oil should be stored in the dark and refrigerated. When purchasing, identify products from legitimate channels and avoid choosing fish oil preparations that contain excessive heavy metals. Eating deep-sea fish 2-3 times a week in daily diet can meet basic needs, and steaming is used to reduce nutrient loss during cooking. After adding complementary foods to infants and young children, DHA and ARA can be obtained from foods such as cod puree and avocado. Parents should observe for any allergic reactions. Maintaining dietary diversity is more conducive to the synergistic absorption of nutrients than single supplementation, and supplements should be used under professional guidance when necessary.