There are presently no specific recommendations on how much DHA and ARA are needed in formula. The DHA and ARA used in Baby’s Only® Formulas are from the fats, called phospholipids, in organic egg yolks and are shown on the label as organic egg lecithin. The DHA and ARA in breast milk are primarily in the phospholipid form. All other companies’ formulas use a DHA and ARA from algae and fungus. Because phospholipids are better absorbed than triglycerides, the amounts present in Baby’s Only® formulas with DHA & ARA are appropriate and safe. Also, a full-term healthy baby has the capability of converting the essential fatty acids (linolenic and linoleic) to DHA and ARA.
The typical American diet with reliance on highly processed foods and fatty foods is high in omega-6 fats and low in omega-3 fats resulting in chronic diseases such as diabetes and coronary heart disease later in life. Current recommendations suggest increasing the amounts of omega-3 fatty acids for a healthy diet and providing a better balance or ratio between omega-3 fatty acids and omega-6 fatty acids. 3 The levels of DHA and ARA added to Baby’s Only® Formulas with DHA & ARA are not considered high and also are in an appropriate amount to promote good growth and development in babies and young children.
For these reasons, Nature’s One has selected the only organic egg yolk phospholipid source found in formulas for the DHA and ARA in Baby’s Only® formulas containing DHA and ARA.