06.01.03
Indication: Reduced blood pressure in later childhood
Source: British Medical Journal, 2003;326:953-5.
Research: This study and its findings serve as a follow-up to a 1998 Lancet study in which participants were fed a formula supplemented with DHA and ARA, or a formula without DHA and ARA but otherwise nutritionally similar, for the first four months of life. The multicenter, randomized, controlled trial also contained a reference group of breastfed infants. Nearly two-thirds of the participants from the original trial were enrolled in this follow-up study and had their blood pressure assessed at a mean age of 70 months.
Results: The study group fed the DHA/ARA-supplemented formula had significantly lower mean blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure than the non-supplementation group. The diastolic blood pressure of breastfed children was significantly lower than that of the non-supplementation group but did not differ from the DHA/ARA-supplemented group. Study investigators suggest that since blood pressure often tracks from childhood into adult life, infants provided with dietary DHA and ARA may experience reduced cardiovascular risk in adulthood. Further, it is plausible that DHA/ARA supplementation during infancy may have a positive cardiovascular impact in adulthood.
Source: British Medical Journal, 2003;326:953-5.
Research: This study and its findings serve as a follow-up to a 1998 Lancet study in which participants were fed a formula supplemented with DHA and ARA, or a formula without DHA and ARA but otherwise nutritionally similar, for the first four months of life. The multicenter, randomized, controlled trial also contained a reference group of breastfed infants. Nearly two-thirds of the participants from the original trial were enrolled in this follow-up study and had their blood pressure assessed at a mean age of 70 months.
Results: The study group fed the DHA/ARA-supplemented formula had significantly lower mean blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure than the non-supplementation group. The diastolic blood pressure of breastfed children was significantly lower than that of the non-supplementation group but did not differ from the DHA/ARA-supplemented group. Study investigators suggest that since blood pressure often tracks from childhood into adult life, infants provided with dietary DHA and ARA may experience reduced cardiovascular risk in adulthood. Further, it is plausible that DHA/ARA supplementation during infancy may have a positive cardiovascular impact in adulthood.