HCM CITY — Health experts shared the latest scientific research findings on nutrients for early brain development at a symposium on Sunday.

They also shared findings on how they can work together to protect DHA and also power up DHA for brain development.

“Research proves that Natural Vitamin E and Lutein help to protect cell membranes and omega-3 fatty acids, such as DHA, from oxidative damage. DHA is particularly vulnerable to damage by oxidation and the two nutrients can work as antioxidants to protect DHA,” said Dr. Matthew J Kuchan from Abbott Nutrition’s Senior Principal Research Scientist, Global Cognition Platform Lead, Centre for Nutrition Learning and Memory, University of Illinois.

“Moreover, in our most recent study, we have found that the infant brain preferentially accumulates natural vitamin E over the synthetic one. Natural vitamin E is more biologically active than the synthetic forms of vitamin E, which are typically found in fortified foods and supplements,” added Dr. Kuchan.

Participants also heard that natural Vitamin E is 1.5 times as active as synthetic vitamin E and Natural Vitamin E might protect DHA from damage by free radicals. A baby’s brain prefers Natural Vitamin E over synthetic Vitamin E. The areas of the infant brain associated with visual, memory and language development have a greater concentration of Natural Vitamin E as opposed to the synthetic version.

Health experts said that Natural Vitamin E is found to be the predominant form of vitamin E in breast milk. It can also be found in natural foods and extracts from plant-based foods, such as nuts & seeds such as almonds, hazelnuts and peanuts; vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, asparagus and pumpkin; vegetable oils such as sunflower oil, safflower oil and soybean oil; and seafood such as salmon and oysters.

The event, “New scientific breakthrough in brain development,” was jointly organised by the Việt Nam Pediatric Association in cooperation with the global healthcare company, Abbott. — VNS