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Child nutrition experts confirm that there are indeed foods that increase a child’s ability to develop his brain and thereby affecting his scholastic achievements later on.

The brain has two sides. Your child’s left brain is responsible for his logical functions while his right brain is responsible for his creative functions. Both sides of the brain can develop together in such a way that both are able to function together without overpowering or placing distorted demands upon one another.

So what are some of the best examples of foods that give power to the brain?

1. Milk with clinically proven levels of DHA and ARA. Recent studies have shown that a baby’s brain will develop properly with the help of two important nutrients: Docohexaenoic Acid (DHA) and Arachidonic Acid (ARA, basic building blocks which help greatly in mental and visual development.

From childbirth, the infant brain needs DHA supplementation, which helps in increasing a child’s mental functions. ARA on the other hand, is responsible for baby’s physical growth. It complements DHA for optimum physical and mental development. Both also play significant roles in developing sharper vision in babies.

Mother’s breastmilk is a rich source of DHA and ARA. Breastfeeding your child will certainly help him gain these two important nutrients. However, when this is not possible, choose an infant formula that contains clinically proven levels of DHA and ARA.

2. Protein-rich foods chicken, meat and fish. Protein in food is critical to alertness, attention and thinking. Amino acids, the chief components of protein, are the building blocks of our bodies. Protein provides the building blocks for most of the body’s tissues, nerves and internal organs, including the brain and heart.

3. Raw fruits, vegetables and orange juice. These contain folic acid, that is essential for the formation and maturation of red and white blood cells. Research shows that and white blood cells. Research shows that lack of folic acid leads to tiredness, irritability and forgetfulness in children.

4. Choline-rich foods like egg yolk, green vegetables, dairy products and soybeans. These contribute to memory-enhancement. Choline is an amino acid commonly found in egg yolk. It is also present in dairy products, green vegetables and soybeans. Choline increases the brain’s rate of metabolism; it is also involved in the production of ‘acetylcholine’ (a neurotransmitter helping in memory function).

Iron-rich foods. These may increase a child’s attention span for challenging tasks. Iron carries oxygen in the blood and helps transport oxygen into cells where it is used. Some studies show that iron-deficiency in children results in decreased attention span. Children who are low in iron tend to do poorly in vocabulary, reading and other tests and this means that left side of the brain (logic) functions may be on the low level.

5. Good nutrition is important to proper and balance brain development. The choices you make for your baby’s foods will allow him to perform well not only in school but also in the environment around him.

Manila Bulletin

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