Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: The Case for and Against the Supplementation of Infant Formula.
[Student Name]
[Institution Affiliation]
Long –chain polyunsaturated (LPS) acids are derived from two fatty acids known as, linolenic acid and alpha-linolenic acids found in plant based foods such as flaxseed. Through various biochemical pathways the LPS are used to synthesis eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaeconoic acid (DHA). The conversation of ALA to DHA and EPA is very ineffective in human and therefore, advisable to consume ready-made DHA and EPA from animal products such as fish (Ingrid, 2003).
ALA are present in significant amounts and composition in brain and visual tissues, DHA is the main component of the cell membrane phospholipid structure for nerve cells and cell membrane while EPA is an essential building block for eicosanoids, a localized hormone which is important in nearly every development in our body hence very vital for infants and children below age of five. Linolenic acid produces both n-3 and n-6 fatty acids, the
…show more content…
The experiment saw a gradual increase in the mental development. With over 67% of the LSP supplemented infants finished to step three. The gradual increase in cognitive capabilities are associated with loading of n-3 and n-6 in the central nervous system improving the speed of information processing. DHA supplemented infant recorded the shortest look at the Fagan test, infants with the shortest looking time have the smallest reaction time (Willatts, 1998). They have a higher reflective time, the LPS supplemented infants looked had the shortest look and easily solved the three step problem without forgetting the final goal. Another suggestion for improved intelligence is that LPS distracted the structures responsible for releasing