To add DHA, just for your child to eat eggs, shrimp, chicken, tuna ... However, the excess is not good because DHA may cause cell damage.


DHA - a fatty acid omega-3 group is essential for the development of the child. However, according to a survey up to 68% of mothers when asked did not know anything about DHA.


Not as advertised
According to Dr. Nguyen Thi Lam, Deputy Director National Institute of Nutrition, DHA is an important but not synthesized by the body that must be taken in through food sources. However, many mothers find themselves empty DHA ads are bought used, heard how much food you eat DHA was purchased for ... but do not know how much is enough supply and supply in any period is reasonable.

Many firms are headlining milk levels of DHA in the product. Photo: L.Binh.


Currently, there are so many foods, especially dairy products for children always hype about the levels of DHA. Which product is also DHA, also helps children brain development and superior intelligence. However, actual levels of DHA have been published in accordance with the record label or not, could not be verified.


One is specific evidence of end of 12/2011, test results at the Technical Centre for Standards and Quality 3 (Quatest 3) on powdered samples G - milk SP (finished 400 g / pack) by a limited company nutritious food production in Ho Chi Minh City, has shown a surprising result found no levels of DHA. Meanwhile, on the packaging of dairy products of this company are credited DHA 2-10 mg/100 gr.


Earlier, in August / 2010, Inspectorate Department Food Safety (food safety - Ministry of Health) after the tests of milk samples in 8 provinces and cities (Ha Noi, Ha Nam, Thai Nguyen, Son La , Bac Ninh, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai and Binh Duong) has announced the results of several samples of milk of poor quality. In tests of 84 samples of milk, up to six samples of milk does not meet the standards on levels of nutrients such as DHA, calcium is lower than released.


Deficiency, excess is bad
Dr. Nguyen Thi Lam, deputy director of the National Nutrition Institute, said children need DHA but the actual content of DHA in the diet of children in many countries is low. Mr. Nguyen Nam Vinh, Southern Office, Consumer Protection Association also shared Vietnam, Vietnam remains one of the 20 countries have rates of child malnutrition.


"The demand for child DHA Vietnam now only meet about 35% - 50%, only at the lack, not redundant," Vinh said. However, according to Dr. Nguyen Thi Lam, excess DHA supplementation for children is not good because the risk of cell damage.


Of DHA recommended by FAO / WHO for infants (0-12 months) is 17 mg/100 kcal and for children aged 1-6 years 75 mg / day. The dietitian also said that DHA-rich foods for children mainly eggs and fish. The breast-feeding mothers can also supplement these foods: eggs, fish, shrimp, crab, ... enough nutrition to breastfeeding. A boiled egg: 19 mg, 2 pieces of chicken: 37 mg, 12 steamed shrimp: 96 mg, 100 gr canned tuna: 535 mg.