DHA and AA have always been popular nutritional elements in the milk powder industry, and play an extremely important role in the growth and development of babies. So what are Omega-3, Omega-6, alpha-linolenic acid, and linoleic acid? To answer this question, I need to tell the mothers and fathers that what the types of fatty acids in milk powder are.
Fatty Acids
It is decomposed from fat, one of the three main functional substances of the human body. It can be decomposed into CO2 and H2O with sufficient oxygen supply, which is one of the main energy sources of the body.
According to the degree of saturation, fatty acids can be divided into three categories: saturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. The first two belong to the fatty acids that can be synthesized by the body itself, so they are also called non-essential fatty acids. Polyunsaturated fatty acids are all essential fatty acids, which are necessary for human health and life, but they are organic. The body itself cannot synthesize, it can only be obtained from plants.
PUFA: Polyunsaturated fatty acids are usually classified into Omega-3 and Omega-6.
Omega-3:
It contains essential fatty acids: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA.
Alpha-linolenic acid: 10% of the total solid mass in the brain is beneficial not only to the development of fetal intelligence but also to the development of an infant's intelligence and vision. Alpha-linolenic acid can also be converted into DHA, DPA, EPA and other substances in the body.
DHA: commonly known as Brain’s Gold, is an important component of the brain and retina. It is essential for the development of intelligence and vision of fetuses and infants. It can promote the development of the fetal brain, promote the maturation of retinal photoreceptor cells, inhibit inflammation, resist aging and moisturize.
Omega-6:
It contains essential fatty acids: linoleic acid (LA), arachidonic acid (AA).
Linoleic acid: can help the body metabolize protein, has the effect of reducing blood cholesterol, the baby lacks linoleic acid, the skin becomes dry, Scales of skin become thicker, growth retardation.
AA: It is an important substance for the development of the human brain and optic nerve. It plays an important role in improving intelligence and visual acuity. It also has important effects of esterifying cholesterol, increasing vascular elasticity and reducing blood viscosity.
Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids are not synthesized by the human body itself, so these nutrients are usually added to milk powder.