Infant formula supplemented with DHA: are there benefits?
Thorpe, M.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association 103(5): 551-552
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-8223 PMID: 12733531 Document Number: 559402
Benefits offered by infant formula supplemented with n-3 fatty acids remain unproven. The FDA recently approved the sale of infant formula supplemented with n-3 fatty acids, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). However, according to Pamela Charney of Ohio State University, the majority of studies do not show an influence of DHA on infant growth. Susan Carlson, a neonatal dietitian at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, believes that available research does not provide convincing evidence that the addition of DHA will result in better outcomes. Nevertheless, Charney contends that understanding lipids will enable dietetics professionals to better educate the public on issues surrounding the use of n-3 fatty acids with infants. Carlson agrees that a baseline understanding of the biochemistry of acids is necessary but suggests that dietetics professionals understand how supplemented products are marketed to the consumer.