You may have heard mention of DHA and ARA...but what are these important ingredients, and why are they included in the LittleOak range? Let’s take a closer look at DHA and ARA, their benefits, sources, and their role in infant nutrition.
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega 3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA).
Arachidonic acid (ARA) is an omega 6 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA).
DHA is vital for eye and brain development while ARA is vital for brain growth, immune function andcell signaling. Think of a house: to build a sturdy structure, you need the right materials. For babies, DHA and ARA are the foundational ingredients for developing their brains and eyes.
While the body can produce DHA and ARA, it does so inefficiently. They can also be obtained from various foods:
Foods high in DHA: Salmon, mackerel, sardines, cod liver oil, algae and eggs.
Foods high in ARA: Chicken, eggs, pork, beef and fish.
From the third trimester in utero through to age two, babies are quite literally building their brains and eyes. During this critical phase of development, DHA and ARA are two of the most important ingredients.
Breast milk contains DHA and ARA from the mother’s diet. To replicate the nutritional profile of breast milk, many formula brands fortify their blends with these essential fatty acids.
While many formula brands source their DHA from fish oil, LittleOak sources their DHA from sustainable algae sources, which is shown to be more sustainable, carries lower contamination risks and offers higher purity without the allergen risk or fishy taste of fish oil. They source the ARA locally in New Zealand from fungal sources.
Yes. LittleOak’s levels are scientifically proven to support healthy development—meeting the same standards set by the EU at 20-50mg of DHA per 100kcal, and we’ve had it in our formulas from day one. In fact, we match our DHA and ARA levels to a research-backed ratio proven to support healthy cognitive development in babies. Our DHA is 60% higher, and our ARA is nearly double that of competitor brands.*
*Based on a comparison with eight leading formula brands.
The human brain is super fatty as an organ, up to 60% of its dry weight is made up of fat. DHA is particularly concentrated in the grey matter of the brain, where neurons communicate, and accounts for around 20% of the brain’s total fat content. The remaining 80% of fat is made up of other components, including, ARA, saturated fats, monosaturated fats and complex lipids.
Infant brains experience a rapid growth spurt, reaching half their adult size within 3 months of birth. While the brain certainly continues to develop through early adulthood, physically the brain has reached 90% of adult size by age 5.
*Information thanks to The LittleOak Company
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