[log in to unmask] wrote:
> In response to Morgan's statement, " Returning it to the main point, adding fish oils to formula is better
> than having no DHA in the formula at all," I must say that this is not necessarily true. Research has shown that there is little evidence to support any beneficial effects in cognitive, motor, or visual functioning from the addition of these fatty acids. In the US fish oil is not used but a combination of DHA from fermented microalgae and ARA from soil fungus is added to the formula, increasing the cost by as much as 30%. This has been a windfall for formula manufacturers not a breakthrough in nutrition for babies. These fats are not handled by the body in the same way that natural DHA/ARA is. They are carried differently on the triglyceride molecule, begging the questions are they actually utilized by the body in a way that could increase the risk for overweight or obesity, or do they actually get incorporated into the brain. If they do, what effect do they really have on brain functioning? Mostly, these fatty acids have provided a vehicle to advertise to mothers that this formula is equivalent to breast milk. The clever ads dupe mothers into purchasing the product thinking that their baby will see better or be smarter.
Thank you Marsha!  Every instinct in me said just adding some form of 
DHA into formula, may not do any good - but you have to look at how it 
_might_ be better than no DHA at all.  After all, so much of the fats in 
formula just pass straight out into that stinky poo!

And this supports my original point, that in the absence of knowing how 
the complex process of maternal synthesis of DHA from ALA 
(alpha-linolenic acid) actually impacts on baby's absorption of such, 
we're better to err on the side of caution where we possibly can. 

Which would be to eat a lot of the dark green leafy stuff that Jennifer 
so rightly mentioned.  Seeds also.  In absence of that in the maternal 
diet, pure ALA oils may be more effective than eating loads of oily 
fish, which in turn is probably more effective that taking DHA 
supplements, and so one down the nutritional tree.  Raw foods, as ever, 
far more effective in nutrition than supplements. 

Also, what are we telling our vegetarian and vegan mothers?  That they 
_must_ eat fish?  ;-)  In my experience, the average vegan mother has 
got her nutrition down pat - and isn't worrying in the slightest about 
ALA levels in her body, or subsequent DHA in her milk!  (I have to 
confess, as one of my pregnancy prepares for the new baby, I hunted down 
and bought a second hand copy of the wonderful "Stones" cookbooks - too 
obscure to mention origins here - but superb veggie dishes based on 
seasonal harvests.  So I had recognised in myself, that my little one 
needed to eat such rich vegetable sources in his first food 
experiences... now to admitting I must get the damned book out and 
_cook_ from it often enough that he learns this is how food is prepared!)

It's worth mentioning that this is not a criticism of anyone suggesting 
to mothers that they take fish oil supplements etc - but it is a 
recognition that we do face the problem, daily, of the idea that a poor 
diet can be overcome by adding in a few tablets to compensate.  
Certainly, a poor diet with vitamin tablets may be 'better' than a poor 
diet without - I said 'may ;-) - but it's not a good message to send - 
top up on tablets and you and your infant will be healthier for it.  I 
do recognise, however, that it is a practical message to send, and we've 
talked before about how wholesale changes in eating habits are so hard 
to achieve.  Food is love in our culture - in all cultures as far as I 
can see - and we all run to the food Mama made us, when life it tough. 

I just think that _where possible_ the more complex side of the ALA 
ingestion to DHA in breast milk process needs to be explained out.  
Obviously, this starts with the message to eat lots of healthy green 
vegetables.. and then moves on down to if all else fails, swallow capsules!

Oh, how I wish it 'twere true, that a poor diet could be made magically 
all right by tablet top ups!  My guilt load would be so much smaller - 
as would my hips!  :-)

Morgan

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