{"id":41085,"date":"2020-10-02T07:32:08","date_gmt":"2020-10-02T14:32:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kidstarnutrients.com\/health\/nutrients\/what-to-look-for-in-kids-multivitamins-copy\/"},"modified":"2025-10-16T11:02:25","modified_gmt":"2025-10-16T18:02:25","slug":"omega-3-fatty-acids-and-development","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/kidstarnutrients.com\/us\/learning-centre\/nutrients\/omega-3-fatty-acids-and-development\/","title":{"rendered":"Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Development"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Development\u00a0<\/h1>\n

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By Rhianna Ross, RHN<\/p>\n

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Importance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids During Fetal Development<\/h2>\n

You have likely heard of the importance of omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil for brain and heart health, but did you know they play a crucial role in fetal and infant brain development?<\/p>\n

While these fats are essential for everyone, they are especially important for pregnant and breastfeeding women, babies, and growing children.<\/p>\n

There are three main omega-3 fatty acids: alpha-linolenic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and eicosapentaenoic acid.<\/p>\n

Alpha-linolenic Acid (ALA):<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>ALA is the most common omega-3 fatty acid in the human diet. Used as an energy source by the body or stored for later use. Very small amounts are converted to EPA and DHA.<\/p>\n

Docosahexaenoic acid (<\/strong>DHA) and Eicosapentaenoic Acid<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>(<\/strong>EPA):\u00a0<\/span><\/strong>Both DHA and EPA are found in certain types of seafood such as fish, and in some algae. Needed by every cell in the human body for structure, DHA and EPA are extremely important to human health.<\/p>\n

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DHA, EPA, and Pregnancy<\/h3>\n

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While both EPA and DHA are often lumped together when we talk about the importance of EFAs, EPA and DHA do behave differently in the body. Both fats are important during fetal development in utero and in the development of the brain and eyes after birth.<\/p>\n

DHA and EPA are needed during the formation of our central nervous system (CNS) and eyes, which begin to form at just 16 days of gestation and will steadily develop until the third trimester when development significantly speeds up and brain size triples. While intake of omega-3s is important throughout pregnancy it is especially important during the last phase of growth.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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While not as important in the development of a baby\u2019s brain and central nervous system, EPA plays a role in the balance between different essential fats and helps to increase levels of DHA in cord blood and helps DHA transport through the placenta.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Both EPA and DHA help to reduce inflammation and protect the placenta from oxidative stress. A placenta with high inflammation levels can hinder fetal development. This is especially important for women with diabetes, preeclampsia, and overweight women as inflammation is higher in these groups. High inflammation levels in the mother\u2019s body can increase the risk of the baby developing type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or weight issues later in life.<\/p>\n

Low levels of either DHA or EPA in a mother during pregnancy and while breastfeeding can negatively impact baby’s brain development in the first 6 months of life. A lack of DHA and EPA in breastmilk can cause baby\u2019s levels to drop even if they were optimal at birth. Low levels can impair attention, focus, and may slow learning milestones.<\/p>\n

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DHA, EPA, Brain and Eye Development<\/h3>\n

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The highest amounts of DHA are found in the retina (our eyes), as well as the grey matter and frontal lobe of the brain. Our frontal lobe is involved in memory, language, social and sexual behaviour, and motor function.<\/p>\n

DHA and EPA are needed for proper formation, development, and maintenance of the eyes. Deficiencies can lead to macular degeneration and dry eyes later in life.<\/p>\n

A lack of DHA and EPA during pregnancy can harm the development of a baby\u2019s cognition. Cognition is what enables us to perceive our world, respond to what we see, and to process and remember events that happen to us.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0Some examples of what is included in cognition are:<\/p>\n