Diane Benisek, RD, LD
Nutrition Education Coordinator
Martek Biosciences. ([log in to unmask])

Some questions have been raised about the "New Findings: Breastfeeding,
Nutrition, and Brain Development" video offer appearing in Childbirth
Instructor Magazine. The presence of DHA (docosahexaenoic fatty acid) in
breast milk is just one more of the many benefits of breast-feeding; recent
studies have shown that DHA is vital for brain and retina structure and
function. The video is available to update interested healthcare
professionals on this new knowledge. Neuromins PL is specially formulated to
support breast-feeding by providing Moms with dietary DHA, enhancing the DHA
provided in her milk.

Some of the questions raised in previous postings:
Q: What's this all about?
A: Most fatty acids in breast milk are not dependent on maternal intake. DHA
is one of the exceptions; breast milk DHA is dose-dependent on maternal
intake. Although humans synthesize some DHA de novo, during times of high
demand (such as lactation, infancy), we are not very efficient at DHA
synthesis, and rely on dietary sources. Strict vegetarians who consume no
dietary DHA have particularly low breast milk DHA levels.
Q: Are we selling a product that claims to raise breast milk DHA?
A: Yes. Neuromins PL is a dietary supplement of DHA for pregnant and
lactating women that increases breast milk DHA. The video is educational,
with a brief product shot and information # at the end of the video.
Q: Why is the WHO/FAO recommendation for infant DHA intake higher that what
is typically in breast milk?
A: The WHO/FAO Expert Committee Recommendations are based on European breast
milk levels, which are approx. 2x higher that U.S. levels. Japanese breast
milk DHA levels are almost 3x higher than U.S. levels.
Q: What is the bioavailability, .... absorption, utilization?
A: Neuromins PL is not an ABM or ABM 'booster'. Formula in the U.S. does not
contain DHA, or other very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids such as ARA
(arachadonic acid) so the bioavailability of these fatty acids in U.S.
formula is 0%!
Breast milk, even  if Mom is not consuming DHA-rich foods, provides DHA. IQ
and vision benefits are associated with higher infant plasma DHA. Infant
plasma levels are dependent on infant intakes, with an eventual plateau at
very high intakes.

Brief Reading List (there are hundreds of published studies on DHA):
FAO/WHO Expert Committee (1994) Fats and Oils in Human Nutrition. Food and
Nutrition Paper No. 57. FAO, Rome, Italy.
Al et at (1996) Fat intake of women during normal pregnancy: relationship
with maternal and neonatal essential fatty acid status. J Am Coll Nutr
15:49-55.
Lewis et al (1994) Survey of omega-3 fatty acids in diets of midwest
low-income pregnant women. J Agromed 2(4):49-57.
Makrides et al (1996) Effect of maternal DHA supplementation on breast milk
composition. Europ J Clin Nutr. 50:352-357.
Oski, FA (1997) What we eat may determine who we can be. Nutrition
13(3):220-221.


Feel free to contact me at [log in to unmask] for other questions or
information.