Nutrients 2016, 8(4), 216; doi:10.3390/nu8040216
The Essentiality of Arachidonic Acid in Infant Development
1
DSM Nutritional Products, 6480 Dobbin Road, Columbia, MD 21045, USA
2
Clinical Research Consulting, 9809 Halston Manor, Boynton Beach, FL 33473, USA
3
School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, UK
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 17 February 2016 / Revised: 1 April 2016 / Accepted: 5 April 2016 / Published: 12 April 2016
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutrients in Infancy)
Abstract
Arachidonic acid (ARA, 20:4n-6) is an n-6 polyunsaturated 20-carbon fatty acid formed by the biosynthesis from linoleic acid (LA, 18:2n-6). This review considers the essential role that ARA plays in infant development. ARA is always present in human milk at a relatively fixed level and is accumulated in tissues throughout the body where it serves several important functions. Without the provision of preformed ARA in human milk or infant formula the growing infant cannot maintain ARA levels from synthetic pathways alone that are sufficient to meet metabolic demand. During late infancy and early childhood the amount of dietary ARA provided by solid foods is low. ARA serves as a precursor to leukotrienes, prostaglandins, and thromboxanes, collectively known as eicosanoids which are important for immunity and immune response. There is strong evidence based on animal and human studies that ARA is critical for infant growth, brain development, and health. These studies also demonstrate the importance of balancing the amounts of ARA and DHA as too much DHA may suppress the benefits provided by ARA. Both ARA and DHA have been added to infant formulas and follow-on formulas for more than two decades. The amounts and ratios of ARA and DHA needed in infant formula are discussed based on an in depth review of the available scientific evidence. View Full-TextKeywords:
arachidonic acid; docosahexaenoic acid; infant formula; growth; human milk; long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids
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Hadley, K.B.; Ryan, A.S.; Forsyth, S.; Gautier, S.; Salem, N. The Essentiality of Arachidonic Acid in Infant Development. Nutrients 2016, 8, 216.
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