Fatty acids & visual acuity
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
Dietary intake of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCP) can influence maturation of visual cortical function beyond six weeks of age, Dallas researchers report in March issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Sixty-five healthy term infants weaned from breast-feeding were randomized at six weeks of age to receive either Mead Johnson's Enfamil with Iron or the same formula supplemented with Martek's DHASCO, ARASCO oils. Sweep acuity, growth and stereoacuity were evaluated periodically for up to 52 weeks of age. Control group "had significantly poorer visual acuity at 17, 26 and 52 weeks of age and significantly poorer stereoacuity at 17 weeks of age than did infants who were weaned to LCP-supplemented formula," Eileen Birch, Retina Foundation of the Southwest, et al., report...