Bangalore: Indian diet, including that of children, may supply very little of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA), which is essential for the development of the brain, nerves and eyes.

According to Dr. N Raghu, Director of Academic Advancement, Sri Rama Chandra Medical College, adding nutritional supplements in children's diet is gaining importance as maximum brain growth development occurs before the age of 5.

Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are needed for healthy development of the brain, and since the body does not produce adequate quantity, there is need to supplement it through diet. There are two categories of EFAs — Omega 3 and Omega 6. Among EFAs, Omega 3 fatty acids are the most important.

"About 60 per cent of our brain dry matter is made up of fats, and DHA is one of the most abundant fatty acids in the covering of the brain cell. DHA also plays an important role in transmission of electrical signals and chemical mediators from the brain to the various organs,'' said Dr. Raghu, who was here to attend a medical conference.

The best sources of DHA include seafood, algae and coldwater fish.

The colder the water, the higher will be the Omega 3 content in the fish oil. The other popular sources of DHA are salmon, sardines, and tuna. Eggs and organ meats contain a small amount of DHA in them, but the healthiest source of dietary DHA is seafood, Dr. Raghu said.

As many as 2-4 ounce servings of Omega 3-rich fish a week will provide sufficient amount of the fatty acid, especially DHA, Dr. Raghu said.

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