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Memory Boosters for Children
A person's overall intelligence is largely built during the childhood years, starting from conception. Nutrition plays a critical role in it. There is a plethora of health supplements catering to enhancing memory of our young minds. Are they really necessary?
Ginkgo Biloba:
The herbal supplement ginkgo biloba is obtained from the ginkgo tree. It has been used in traditional medicine to treat circulatory disorders and enhance memory. The active compounds for memory enhancement are found in the leaves and they are terpenoids and flavonoids.
Although the data on ginkgo's efficacy in improving memory in adults are encouraging, there are no known scientific reports on pediatric use of ginkgo. Therefore, it is currently not recommended for children.
Taurine:
Taurine is an amino acid that is found in high concentration in the brain and heart tissues. It is required for the normal development of the brain and visual system. It is also a key ingredient of bile acids, which in turn is needed for fat digestion and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
Adults can manufacture taurine from another amino acid, cysteine, in the liver. Newborns, on the other hand, are usually unable to make enough taurine on their own during the first 12 months of life. For breast-fed babies, there is no concern of taurine deficiency as breast milk contains an ample supply of taurine. Most milk formulas are also fortified with taurine, hence deficiency is not a major problem.
Dietary sources of taurine include egg, meat and fish. Taurine is virtually absent from plants.
Fish Oil:
Omega-3 fatty acids are types of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that are essential to human health. They cannot be produced by the body and must therefore be obtained from the diet.
Over recent years the dietary significance of omega-3s has gained increased importance in medicine and these fatty acids and their derivatives have been shown to offer many health benefits.
With regards to children's health, the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (AHA) play a crucial role in the growth and development of the central nervous system as well as visual functioning in infants. DHA is the primary building block of the brain and retina of the eye. The brain is 60% fat, and DHA is the most abundant fatty acid in the brain, comprising 25-35%. DHA is found in greater concentration (50-60%) in the retina.
Studies have shown that pregnant women who eat more fish give their babies better chances of mature brain development. Breast-fed babies have also been found to have demonstrable IQ advantages over babies fed formulas without DHA.(36)
DHA passes through the placenta to the foetus during pregnancy, and to the nursing baby through breast milk. A baby's brain actually goes through a “growth spurt” from the third trimester to 18 months of age, and some 70% of brain cell development takes place during gestation. Hence, it is important for pregnant and lactating mothers to get an adequate supply of omega-3 fatty acids in their diet.
Rich sources of DHA include high-fat cold water fishes eg salmon, trout, sardines. Fish oil supplements also provide omega-3 fatty acids, but the best way to get these nutrients is by eating fish. Besides omega-3s, fishes are also a source of proteins, B vitamins, iron, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus – nutrients not found in supplements alone.
For formula-fed infants, there are now many infant formulas fortified with DHA and AA. Young children who are not being breastfed anymore can also get their DHA supplies from fish and omega-3 fortified eggs. Another good source is flax seed or flaxseed oil, which contains alpha linolenic acid (ALA), the precursor of DHA.
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