NURTURE BRAIN DEVELOPMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN WITH NUTRITION

Nutrition is critical for young ones to set them on the path to good health and a well-developed brain for the future, and this can be achieved with a good diet, regular opportunities to sleep, and a lot of love from the parent/caregiver. Brain development is faster in the early years of life compared to the rest of the body, which may make it more vulnerable to dietary deficiencies.

The brain is composed of 60% fatty tissue, a proportion of that being cholesterol. So, foods rich in fats should be provided for children. Essential fatty acids (omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids) play a big role in the brain development of a child. This class of fats found in abundance in oily or fatty fish is one of the building blocks of cellular brain growth. So, such fatty foods should be provided. Take note; hydrogenated fats or ‘trans’ fat should be avoided. They can be found in fried or cheap margarine or long-shelf-life processed foods.

Unfortunately, children are deprived of these essential fatty acids, for reasons associated with culture, customs, religious beliefs, economic hindrance, etc. For example, in Nigeria, it has been a custom that young children, especially in low-class families, are not to be given fish/meat in their meal, simply because it is believed that children that are always given fish/meat at an early age will eventually start stealing later in years. Hence, parents deprive of their children this essential nutrient for cognitive development.

Apart from Proteins and Carbohydrates which are available for young ones, some vitamins and minerals are also essential for brain development. Sadly, some of them are not readily available for some children. Some of these vitamins are Vitamin B12, Folate, and Choline.

Folate affects neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation and also alters DNA biosynthesis. Choline also alters the development of the hippocampus, which has a central role in memory and learning. Like folate, choline also has a role in the closure of the frontal neural tube. Vitamin B12 has a role in axon myelination that is important for impulse conduction from cell to cell, and it also protects neurons from degeneration. Children whose parents are vegetarian are at great risk of having vitamin B12 deficiency, as vitamin B12 is largely found in animal products. Hence vitamin B12 supplementation is advised.

It is well known today that Iodine deficiency in children may cause Cretinism. Therefore, Iodine is essential to the body and especially to the brain. Iodine is necessary for the production of Thyroid hormone, which plays an important role in neuron development.

Also, Vitamin D is essential for a child. Some children are not getting sufficient vitamin D. Deficiency of vitamin D has been connected with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). this deficiency does occur due to low exposure to the sun. Some children due to religious beliefs do not get enough of this sunlight exposure. This is evident in females that are accustomed to wearing clothing that covers the body from head to toe (popularly known as hijab). It is really beneficial for overall health and brain function if parents allow the children at least 20 minutes a day, face and arms uncovered in the sunlight (especially morning sunshine) so that the skin can convert Vitamin D and make it available to the body for utilization.

It should be noted that just as undernutrition prevents proper development of the brain, overnutrition (obesity) also affects the brain. So, parents should endeavor to watch what they give their children to eat. Try to avoid foods that are unhealthy for your children. Foods like sugary fruit drinks, foods with artificial sweeteners, processed snack foods, meat sausages, etc.

To optimize your child’s brain health, endeavor to include these foods in your child’s meal; eggs, unprocessed meat, and fish, whole grains, varieties of fruits and vegetables, whole milk, legumes, nut, quality fats, and oil (unsaturated).

If we give our kids foods that are nutritious and healthy for them, their cognitive functions will be boosted and their mood and concentration will be stabilized. However, we live in a world where every day, life can be stressful and hectic. Despite this, we should not deprive our children of getting what is needed to make their brains develop well and be healthy. Your child/children not being able to perform well at school or not being able to top his/her class might not be due to his/her unseriousness or unwillingness to study. It might be due to the essential nutrients that they are deprived of.

So, make your child /children smart by providing them with SMART NUTRITIOUS FOODS!!!