Healthy hormone production requires healthy fat consumption. Steroid hormones are made from cholesterol. Cell membranes are fatty acid enriched. Like a butter sandwich, cell membranes are made up of two layers glycoproteins (the bread) with phospholipids in between (the butter). Within the butter imagine olives—little doorways that allow hormones into cells—these hormone receptor sites require omega-3’s for healthy function.

Fish oils are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), that help hormones function properly.

Healthy fat consumption begins in utero. In the last trimester of pregnancy, the fetus gets bathed in DHA which is crucial for neurological development, visual acuity, and cognition. Most American women do not eat enough seaweeds and fish to have adequate DHA available for their unborn children, nor enough to supply in their breast milk.

Babies born to women who do not consume enough healthy fat, specifically DHA have a higher risk of developmental delays and learning disabilities. Studies have shown that healthy DHA supplemented babies reach developmental milestones like sitting, standing, crawling and walking sooner than unsupplemented infants.

It is recommended that pregnant and nursing mothers supplement with 300mg per day of pure DHA. A sea algae source or a mercury free fish oil source is recommended. Breast fed infants usually consume enough DHA…if the mother is consuming at lease 300mg of DHA daily.

If infants are formula fed than it is recommended that DHA be added at 100mg of sea algae source per one bottle per day. Adjust the dose if the infant is both formula and breast fed by a mother who is supplementing her diet with 300mg of DHA per day. For instance, a working mother may only breast feed her infant once in the morning, once in the evening and once in the middle of the night. The infant may be taking at least 3 bottles of formula while the mother works, so the supplemental DHA need is only 50mg.

Unless an infant is solely breast fed by a mother who consumes at least 300mg of DHA per day, then DHA should be supplemented for the first two years of life.

A good source of DHA is Neuromins 100mg capsules which can be poked and squeezed into formula. Once the infant is eating food, mix the DHA into cereal or applesauce, since it doesn’t mix well into formula. DHA supplements for children are often flavored with citrus oils. Citrus should not be fed to infants under 1 year of age as it is an allergen inducing food, like egg whites, chocolate, wheat, strawberries and cow’s milk.

Start off healthy hormone production for you and your child by supplementing with DHA daily.