LCPs (Long Chain Polyunsaturate fatty acids) are essential for humans, whether young or old. They must be consumed regularly through food or, in some cases, through supplements.

Two of these fatty acids are omega-3 and omega-6. Both are important ingredients in baby food. You may have seen the abbreviations DHA or ARA on a baby formula package before and wondered what they mean. DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) is one of several omega-3 fatty acids, and ARA (arachidonic acid) is one of several omega-6 fatty acids.

Even more background information: The human body can also produce DHA and ARA on its own. However, it needs alpha-linolenic acid, another omega-3 fatty acid, and linoleic acid, another omega-6 fatty acid, to do this. The amount of DHA and ARA that the human body can produce from alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid is limited and is not sufficient on its own.

Note: DHA and ARA in particular are important fatty acids. Small baby bodies, especially, cannot produce enough DHA and ARA on their own. Therefore, it is important to make sure that baby food contains these nutrients.

You are probably now wondering what tasks and functions omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids fulfill.

Omega-3 fatty acids generally have an anti-inflammatory effect and ensure an intact immune system – a deficiency can lead to increased susceptibility to infections. Omega-6 fatty acids serve the formation of hormones and messengers.

Among the omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, DHA and ARA are particularly important for the normal development of the brain, nervous system, sense organs (especially the retina) and intelligence.

DHA is already stored in the brain before birth and plays an important role in your baby's health. Numerous studies have found that adequate DHA supply through diet during pregnancy is important even before birth. Although the brain continues to grow into early adulthood, the so-called first 1000 days are formative, as nutrition can positively influence normal mental development.

WHO note: Breastfeeding is the best nutrition for your baby. The composition of breast milk always offers your baby the ideal combination of nutrients and good protection against allergies and diseases. The WHO therefore recommends exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months and continuing to breastfeed after that in combination with age-appropriate and balanced complementary foods. Consult healthcare professionals (e.g., pediatrician, mother/father counseling service, midwife, lactation consultant) if your child needs supplementary food or if you cannot (sufficiently) breastfeed. The use of infant formula may affect breastfeeding success.

Why is the ratio of both fatty acids so important?

Studies have shown that important physiological and developmental endpoints are sensitive to the ratio of the two fatty acids. More precisely, DHA and ARA have a positive effect on the maturation of vision and child development especially when they are consumed in a 1:1 ratio.

Furthermore, the same studies also found that a high intake of DHA without or with too low an intake of ARA can have undesirable effects in infants. Thus, we were surprised why, according to EU standards, DHA must be mandatory in follow-on baby formula, but this does not apply to ARA. 

GOS are just as important in baby food. This is because they support a healthy gut flora. GOS have a prebiotic effect and thus promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the baby's stomach.

If you're not 100% sure you understand all of this in detail, don't worry too much. As long as you take care of your own health and check the packaging of follow-on formula, you're already doing a lot right!  

Learn more about why fats are so important for babies' nutrition .

Sources:

Ärzteblatt: https://www.aerzteblatt.de/archiv/180178/Stillen-und-Beikost

DGKJ: https://www.dgkj.de/fileadmin/user_upload/Stellungnahmen/202003_DGKJ_Ern%C3%A4hrungskomm_DHA_ARA_S%C3%A4uglingsnahrungen_Monatsschr_Kinder_2020.pdf

Ernährungsumschau: https://www.ernaehrungs-umschau.de/news/05-11-2019-arachidonsaeure-in-saeuglings-und-folgenahrung/