The basis for good health and school performance is formed early in life. Many neurological pathways form in the brain during the first two years of a child's life. Much of the development of his or her language and thinking abilities depends on the proper formation of these complex pathways.

It's essential that children receive the proper balance of nutrients in order to fully develop these neurological pathways. One of the most important is DHA—an essential omega-3 fatty acid that is a close relative to the well-known EPA commonly associated with fish oil.

In fact, DHA and the omega-6 arachidonic acid are the most abundant fatty acids in the fetal and infant brain, and maintaining high levels of these fatty acids is extremely important during early brain growth.

The most important thing any of us can do to support the health and brain development of our kids is to ensure that they receive adequate amounts of essential fatty acids and other nutrients in their diets on a daily basis.

Infants should get their essential fatty acids from their mothers' breast milk since baby formulas still have not been able to duplicate all of the nutrients and advantages. In fact, since the brain's important neurological pathways develop during the first two years of a child's life, it would be beneficial to nurse children at least to that age.

Once they begin to eat solid food, kids should also get plenty of colorful fruits and vegetables in addition to foods high in essential fatty acids. The best idea for infants and young toddlers is to puree organic varieties of fruits, vegetables, and meats into baby food.

As they get older, of course, they will quickly be attracted to the packaged foods they see advertised "especially for them" on TV. However, deficiencies in essential fatty acids are common in these processed foods for two reasons:

Fatty acids are highly unstable and can quickly turn rancid, so food manufacturers remove them to extend the shelf life of their products.

Nature, however, protects essential fatty acids in unprocessed foods in several ways. For instance, the essential oils in egg yolks, salmon, and green algae are protected by their own antioxidants while the hard outer shells of grains, nuts, legumes, and seeds protect their oils from exposure to oxygen and light.

While you may have problems getting kids to eat green algae, you should make sure the rest of these foods are part of their diet. In health food stores, you can find wild salmon and tuna that is low in mercury but high in essential fatty acids. And organic legumes can be part of each child's healthy dinner.

Of course, proper nutrition continues to be important past the age of two as their bodies continue to grow. However, due to convenience and an obsession with the latest diet fads, the eating habits our society is modeling for our children are shameful. Still, we can make changes that will help the children in our own lives get the essential nutrients they need.

Just remember that when it comes to exercise and food, the best thing you can do is lead by example. More often than not, young children are interested in imitating what adults are doing. I've seen this time and time again with my own children.

Bypassing the fast food "drive thru" and choosing nutrient-rich foods may not seem like significant steps, but they can make a world of difference to the impressionable mind and body of a child. For example, an organic grapefruit and two omega-enriched eggs can be a great breakfast for an adult as well as for a growing child.

Omega-3 eggs come from free-range chickens that eat a diet rich in either flaxseed or fishmeal, and their yolks are an excellent way to get essential omega-3 fatty acids into a child's diet. It only takes one or two omega-enriched egg yolks to equal the amount of these essential fatty acids found in the yolks of eight regular eggs.

Dr. David Williams

P.S. Whether or not you have small children in your life, the health of our nation's kids will have far-reaching implications for all of us. Your influence on just one child will make a difference.

[http://www.drdavidwilliams.com/Legacy/nc/health_library.aspx?promo_code=B4A08001