EFSA: DHA helps proper brain development

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is necessary for proper brain function at all ages and contributes to normal brain development in infants and children. To ensure proper intake of this omega three, infant formulae should provide 100 mg of DHA per day, while those for children aged 2 to 18 years should provide a 'daily intake of 250 mg. These are the statements issued by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in a new document.

The communication was made by an EFSA Panel following a question posed through the UK competent authority by a health and nutrition company. Specifically, EFSA was asked to give a scientific opinion regarding the health claim linking DHA to normal brain development.

DHA is critical in the early years of age

Omega-3 fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA are essential substances for health. The human body can synthesize them from the precursor, alpha linoleic acid, but this transformation is limited; conversion rates are very low: only 6% for EPA and 3.8% for DHA. DHA is the main structural lipid of brain tissue and the central nervous system. The membrane lipids of retinal cells also contain high concentrations of it. In addition to its structural function it also plays a functional role. In the early years of life therefore, the nervous system needs to accumulate large amounts of DHA.

DHA and brain function: EFSA confirms link

The group that published the statement based on scientific evidence believes that DHA is a sufficiently characterized substance and that its beneficial role in the brain is confirmed by various studies. Moreover, its concentration can be quantified in foods by established methods. According to the EFSA paper, the presence of adequate levels of DHA for brain development is important at all ages, although brain growth requires high concentrations of it especially during the first two years and throughout childhood. In order to meet these needs, foods for infants and young children under 24 months of age should provide a daily intake of 100 mg of DHA in one or more servings, while foods for children and young adults aged 2 to 18 years should provide a daily intake of 250 mg of DHA in one or more servings. Earlier this month, EFSA experts also concluded that there are no risks associated with the consumption of DHA supplements extracted from algae, and raised the safe level for their intake from 3 to 5 grams per day, for the adult population.

DHA contributes to normal brain development

Based on the scientific evidence, the Panel concludes that there is a cause-and-effect relationship between DHA consumption and proper brain development. The EFSA paper thus confirms the claim they were asked to shed light on: "DHA contributes to normal brain development." Considering also this evidence, it is expected that the fatty acid will be officially classified as a nutrient and added to the official tables indicating nutritional reference values. 

Source: EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to DHA and contribution to normal brain development pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 EFSA Journal 2014;12(10):3840