Choline and DHA in Maternal and Infant Nutrition: Synergistic Implications in Brain and Eye Health

The aim of this review is to highlight current insights into the roles of choline and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in maternal and infant nutrition, with special emphasis on dietary recommendations, gaps in dietary intake, and synergistic implications of both nutrients in infant brain and eye developm...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jonathan G. Mun, LeeCole L. Legette, Chioma J. Ikonte, Susan H. Mitmesser
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2019-05-01
Series:Nutrients
Subjects:
DHA
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/5/1125
Description
Summary:The aim of this review is to highlight current insights into the roles of choline and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in maternal and infant nutrition, with special emphasis on dietary recommendations, gaps in dietary intake, and synergistic implications of both nutrients in infant brain and eye development. Adequate choline and DHA intakes are not being met by the vast majority of US adults, and even more so by women of child-bearing age. Choline and DHA play a significant role in infant brain and eye development, with inadequate intakes leading to visual and neurocognitive deficits. Emerging findings illustrate synergistic interactions between choline and DHA, indicating that insufficient intakes of one or both could have lifelong deleterious impacts on both maternal and infant health.
ISSN:2072-6643