Posts Tagged ‘brain’

Human Milk Contains Components that Play a Role in Infant Nutrition

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This substance, abundant in breast milk, determines the structure and connections between neurons, according to various studies.

Human milk contains components that play a role in infant nutrition and development of tissues and organs during the first months of life. These substances are not present in infant formula, or at least not in the same amount. One is the sialic acid, an oligosaccharide (a type of carbohydrate) that accumulates in nerve tissue, especially in the brain.

The concentration of oligosaccharides in human milk varies: its synthesis depends on the genetic inheritance of the mother, breastfeeding and time of day, but does not seem to be affected by maternal diet. Current research seeks to explain whether the sialic acid is conditional during periods of rapid brain growth and if it confers benefits brain development and learning breastfed infants, compared with those fed infant formula.

The Fish and Good Fats

FishThe replacement of some saturated fats in animal fats from plant sources may reduce LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides, decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

But not all animal fats are bad because the fish is synonymous with benefits for heart health, not only as a source of protein in the diet, but as a source of omega-3 fats that represent high quality nutrition, prevention of diseases.

Especially important for postmenopausal women and middle-aged and older men to be included in their diets, recommending up to 12 ounces per week to reduce risk of cardiovascular disease, according to the American Heart Association (AHA).

The AHA notes that some types of fish can have high levels of environmental pollutants such as heavy metals (mercury), and therefore recommends that children and pregnant women avoid the types of fish believed to have the highest levels of mercury ( example, makerel king, swordfish, shark, tilefish).

The AHA also recommends varying the type of fish you eat to minimize the effects of these pollutants.

The conclusion is that all require healthy fats diet in limited quantities, but it gives us the fish is recommended in the animal kingdom because it promotes the health of our heart.

Also related to the functioning brain, what is needed in older adults, who can also find omega 3 in nuts and flax seed, in the plant kingdom, to further supplement a natural diet.