>
> Dear Kathy,
>
> This is in response to the message that you forwarded from a
> correspondent on the LactNet about a "full page ad offering a free
> videotape about DHA and how "...moms get DHA through their diet but the
> breast milk of American mothers typically provides only 1/2 to 2/3 of
> the minimum DHA recommended by the WHO/FAO Expert Panel..." This "New
> Findings" video is from Martek Biosciences, maker of Neuromins (tm) PL,
> a DHA nutritional supplement."
>
> Notwithstanding the difficulty in commenting, even summarily, on the
> basis of incomplete information, the initial minimal observation from
> WHO's Programme of Nutrition is one of surprise. In fact, as the
> report of the joint FAO/WHO expert consultation on fats and oils in
> human nutrition (Rome, 19-26 October 1993) makes *very* clear, breast
> milk is the "gold standard" where any discussion of docosahexaenoic
> acid (DHA) and infant nutrition is concerned.
>
> Thus, when referring to infant formula, the consultation concluded
> that "it would seem proper to provide both arachidonic acid and DHA
> preformed in term infant formula milks in similar proportions to
> breast milk" (p. 54 of the report of the consultation). Moreover, as
> the consultation noted, "the burden of proof should be placed on those
> proposing that artificial milk should, in principle, be dissimilar to
> breast milk" (ibid.).
>
> Another point worth pondering in this context concerns the specificity
> of breast milk and the still-unlocked mysteries of this medium which
> affect the way *any* of its components operates and interacts. Iron is
> perhaps one of the more egregious examples in this connection. Thus,
> the assumption that DHA in infant formula should mimic that proportion
> found in breast milk no doubt requires additional investigation.
>
> We hope that this helps to clarify matters.
>
> James Akre (Mr)
> Technical Officer
> Programme of Nutrition
> World Health Organization
> Geneva, Switzerland
>
>
>
Katherine A. Dettwyler, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Anthropology and Nutrition
Texas A&M University
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