New UK Juice Drink

27/04/2004

There's Something Fishy Going On...

This week saw the launch of a new orange 'Think Drink' into school vending machines and health food stores across the country. Supplemented with half the daily allowance of Omega-3 DHA for children, as well as the full daily allowance of vitamins C and E, new 'Supajus' provides a tasty, healthy alternative to the soft drinks kids may otherwise select.

We asked nutritionist Dr Carrie Ruxton, an expert in child nutrition and the effect of Omega-3 fatty acids on health, to give us the low down on the health benefits of fish oil and the key ingredient on every body's lips - DHA.

Says Dr Carrie Ruxton: "Omega-3 DHA is to the brain as calcium is to the bones. Whilst Omega-3s have long been hailed beneficial for the heart, we are now seeing a huge emphasis on their benefits for a healthy brain, for both adults and children."

What is Omega-3 DHA?

Short for Docosahexaenoic acid, DHA is a long chain Omega-3 essential fatty acid vital for the development and maintenance of the brain and eye. It makes up about 25% of the fatty acids in grey matter cell membranes, and ensures messages between brain cells are sent quickly and clearly. A lack of Omega-3 DHA can cause a slower message transmission which may hamper brain development in babies and affect mental agility and memory in adults.

How much Omega-3 DHA do we need?

The International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (ISSFAL) recommends adults need 200mg per day of Omega-3 DHA alone, whilst 300mg per day is required by pregnant and lactating women. At present, the average intake for normal adults is half this at just 100mg per day.

What are the benefits?

Interestingly, recent research into the subject suggests DHA in the diet of our ancestors was an important factor in the evolution of human intelligence.

The real benefits start in the womb, when Omega-3 DHA plays a vital role in the brain development and eye structure of the developing foetus.

Supplementation with Omega-3 DHA during pregnancy and infancy is associated with lower blood pressure in childhood, which can have a direct effect on blood pressure levels in adulthood, reducing cardiovascular risk. Extra Omega-3 DHA during pregnancy will help prevent post natal Depression. New mothers should also increase DHA to replenish stores used by the child for brain and eye development during pregnancy.

In children and adolescents DHA can help combat hyperactivity, obesity and improve concentration levels. DHA is also important in adults to regulate the cardiovascular, reproductive, immune and central nervous systems, and behavioural conditions such as depression, alcoholism and aggressive behaviour. Later in life, supplementation with Omega-3 DHA has shown to help reduce inflammation in arthritis and help prevent Alzheimer's disease.

Any particular benefits for my children?

Evidence suggests the benefits for children is far-reaching. In the recent TV programme, Child of our Time, with Professor Robert Winston, the results of a study of primary school children in Durham County, where children were given fish oil supplements, revealed that more than 40% of children improved in intelligence tests.

There are also a number of clinical trials showing the benefits of omega-3 DHA supplementation for ADHD (Stevens, et al 2003), and violent, impulsive and antisocial behaviour (Burgess, Stevens, Zhang et al 2000). In addition, clinical trials have shown that omega-3 DHA may be useful in the treatment of dyslexia and dyspraxia (Stordy 1995, 1997, 2000) and also in the prevention of childhood asthma.

What do I need to eat to make sure I'm getting enough?

Oily fish such as fresh tuna, salmon, herring, mackerel and sardines are the best sources, although fresh fish is a better source than tinned fish as the canning process squeezes much of the oil out of the product. On average, a 100g cooked portion of oily fish provides around 850mg DHA.

Those who don't like the taste of fish needn't go without either. DHA-enriched foods that can be easily incorporated into the diet include Stonegate Intelligent Eggs (tel 01323 846565 for stockists) and Supajus, the new orange juice drink sold in The Green Machine school vending machines and Holland and Barrett stores to encourage kids to choose a healthier option of soft drink .(Tel 01236 429 042 for stockists).

Both are enriched with Nu-Mega Ingredients Omega-3 DHA made from pure tuna oil from tuna fished from the Southern Pacific Ocean using dolphin friendly methods. The oil, recognised as being the richest natural source of DHA is refined, then rigorously tested to ensure no heavy metals or toxins are present and then added to food without altering the consistency or taste.

Look out for the symbol on packs and visit www.DHA-in-mind.com for more information.