Food for Kids Brain Development

Food for Kids Brain Development | All mother tried to keep her child grow up healthy and smart. What would mother do, from giving the appropriate stimulation to the best nutritious food? All were given to children even since he was still in the womb. Why? Because the fastest brain growth was occurs when the child still in the womb which is in the third trimester until 5-6 months after birth. At that time, the division of brain cells occurs rapidly. Then, as we age, cell division slows down, and so will only happen enlargement of brain cells only.

At birth, the brain weighs ¼ babies reach adult weight, but the number of cells has reached 2/3 of the number of adult brain cells. That is why the food for the brain has started the necessary long before children come into the world. Well, one of the many useful nutrients to the brain are fat the main components that make up the cells in the brain. But, that does not mean the child only needs fat alone. Intake of other micro-nutrients is also needed to make it grow intelligently, such as vitamins and minerals, as it both helps improve children's concentration and memory. So, identify various nutrients special for a child's brain:

 DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid)

DHA is one form of a derivative of omega 3 fatty acids and is a major component in the formation of the brain. DHA can be produced by the body due to the intake of food sources of omega 3. However, the production of DHA produced by the body is not so efficient, so it needs to be supplemented from food sources of DHA. DHA has an important role in brain development, among others, to assist the formation of neural networks, the development of sensory, cognitive and motor nervous system during brain development.

Some types of fish contain fat, such as salmon, sardines and mackerel. Moreover, DHA can also be found in spinach and milk. The need of DHA for children is 20 mg / kg body weight. If the child's weight is 10 kg, for example, it requires about 20 grams of DHA per day. To meet these needs, make sure children consume food sources of DHA above.

 LA (Linoleic Acid) and ALA (Alpha Linolenic Acid)

LA, or more commonly known as omega-6 fatty acid, an unsaturated fatty acids that help the body to form amino acids, introductory nerves in the brain. While ALA, or omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent damage to cell membranes in the brain.

Source LA is mostly in vegetable oils. While ALA is found in the leaves, seed oils, and fish oils (especially fish that live in deep water and cold).

Choline

In general, Choline also called lecithin. Choline is an essential nutrient to improve the memory function of the brain and plays a role in the formation of cell membranes for delivery of signals in the nervous system. Choline may increase the size and number of neurons (brain cells) that make children more easily learn and help retain what he learned. Choline needs is very high in infancy, and perhaps exceed the amount produced by the body. Therefore, it is very important to meet the needs of choline from dietary sources.

Choline mostly in milk, eggs, liver, soybeans, oatmeal, cauliflower, cabbage and peanuts. The needs of children will be 200-375 mg choline per day. The content of choline in one egg-size is 126 mg, or having half choline needs of children.

 Iron

Iron can help the child to continue to be energized and concentrate while studying or playing. Iron levels in the blood will increase during growth to adulthood. Lack of iron in the brain in infancy is irreplaceable as an adult. Lack of iron can negatively impact brain, especially the introduction of system functions neurotransmitter or nerves. As a result, concentration, memory and learning ability can be impaired. With iron, child's attention span can be increased. So that children need to meet iron needs through food intake.

It can be discover in beef, chicken, fish, eggs, peanuts, green vegetables and cereals. In children aged 1-9 years, it takes 8-10 mg of iron per day. Iron content in 2 servings of meat or 100 grams of beef was 4.05 mg, so that it can meet half the iron needs of children.

Zinc

The concentration of zinc in the brain was observed at neurons to control the function of learning and memory. So zinc is excellent in helping and maintains memory when children learn and play.

Zinc can be discover in meat, liver, shellfish, eggs, cereals and legumes.

Iodine

Iodine in the body is in very small amounts, approximately 0.00004% of the child's weight. While the daily needs are about 90-120 mcg. Most iodine is in the thyroid gland, which is used to form the hormone thyroxine. This hormone is needed in the process of child development, physical development, regulates body temperature, the formation of red blood cells, muscle and nerve function. Iodine deficiency can lead to decreased learning ability of children.

Iodine can be discovering in some types of fish, shrimp and scallops.

Vitamin B6 and B12

Vitamin B6 can help improve memory and brain's ability to process information at a faster rate. While vitamin B12 shown to improve nerve fibres of the brain and keep homocysteine levels in the blood at a healthy level.