<<<If you add artificial DHA to an adult diet, would it then get passed to
the child via placenta or milk in preference to mother made DHA?  Would
that make a difference to the child?>>>

As I understand it, the fats in breastmilk vary with the mother's
diet.  If the mother has a diet rich in long chain polyunsaturated
fatty acids (LC PUFAS), her milk will be similarly rich.  The "fats"
researchers here  advise breastfeeding mothers to eat fish or fish
oils a couple of times a week to give their babies the best fatblend
breastmilk for the best brain development. Maybe the DHA capsules or
whatever will do the same in a less natural way. However, cod liver
oil capsules may be just as good and cheaper. Do they still use them
in Scotland Mary?

I understand that in Australia the DHA supplement will come out in a
capsule form, one to be added to a day's supply of formula.  I think
the problem is it does not have a good shelf life pre-mixed into
formula. Like Jon, I support giving non-breastfed babies all the help
they can get. This is just one ingredient of formula improved, there
are THOUSANDS to go before they get close to breastmilk. Then there
is the problem of the bioavailability of added components, and their
interaction with other ingredients.  The early work with LC PUFAs
showed better brain development, but at the expense of overall
growth.  I think they have overcome this problem, but who knows what
other effect it will have, now or in 20 year's time.  Eat fish and
breastfeed, don't mess with nature.

Ros Escott
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