All the parents want their children to be a genius but only few people know the right way to improve a child’s intelligence. The first three years of a child´s life are a critical time for his or her IQ development. Why are these years so important? The brain undergoes its most rapid development in the first three years of life, and in this development period the nutrition plays a very important role.

The brain growth spurt is the fastest and most critical stage of brain development. The brain growth spurt occurs near the middle of pregnancy and ends between a child’s 2nd and 3rd birthday. During this period the maximum increase of brains cells can be up to 250,000 each minute. Before a child is 2 years old, the development of brain has already reached 80% of a fully developed adult.
 
At this time, a child’s brain growth is especially vulnerable to any adverse consequences of malnutrition. Studies have shown that if the proper number of brain cells are not developed during this period, a permanent shortage may result. The brain growth spurt is a “once-and-for-all” opportunity for your child’s brain to develop to its fullest potential. During this brain growth spurt, it is very important to give your child the nutrients to enhance the brain growth.

The nutrients that influence the brain growth include docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), arachidonic acid (ARA), lecithin, protein, folic acid, zinc, Vitamin B1, B6 & B12, iron, calcium and etc.

DHA
DHA is an abundant fat in the eye and brain. Over the years, medical researchers have recognized the importance of this nutrient and its potential to positively influence brain function, as well as vision development. Food that contains DHA includes deep-sea fish oil (especially salmon) and breast milk (especially the colostrums contains 22mg/dl DHA). The American Academy of Pediatrics News, May 2002, indicates there are two infant formulas in the market with added DHA (Enfamil Lipil and Similac Advance with Iron).

ARA
ARA is found everywhere in the body, including the brain and retina. It has long been recognized as important in nutrition, including promoting the growth of organs and tissues. Together with DHA, it helps provide balanced nutrition needed for brain, neural, and eye development in infants. The above formulas also added ARA.

Lecithin
The nerve cells in the brain contain 17-31% of lecithin. The choline in lecithin is an essential component for nerve conducting. Lecithin plays an important roll in the formation of the membrane of brain cell. Choline can enhance the learning ability and memory. Lack of choline will  lead to growth delay, increase the lipid oxidation and free radical damages. Food contains lecithin includes wheat, peanuts, soybeans, liver, ham and lamb.

Iron
Iron can help the growth of cells and provide pregnant and breastfeeding mothers to produce hemoglobin. It affects a child’s physical and mental development, such as memory, learning ability, coordinating skills and balance. Food containing iron include liver, yolk, milk, meat, seaweed, soybeans, whole grain, resins and green vegetable.

Zinc
Lack of zinc will cause temporary memory loss, decrease of attention spans and slow growth. Food containing zinc includes wholegrain, liver, cheese and meat.

Vitamin B1
Vitamin B1 is called “the Vitamin for your mind” because it stabilizes the brain tissue and emotion. Deficiency of B1 will cause bad memory and short attention spans. Food that contains B1 includes brown rice, wheat, liver, lean meat, yeast, soybeans, yolk, fish eggs and vegetable.

Folic Acid
Folic acid is important element for the development of embryo of fetus and neural tube. It also helps the normal formation of the red blood cells. Folic Acid is included in fresh green vegetable, liver, kidneys and lean meat.

Vitamin B6 and B12
These are essential for the production of red blood cells. They influence the oxygen supply and nutrients to the brain. Food containing B6 includes meat, fish, vegetable, yeast, wheat, liver, kidney, brown rice, egg, milk, soybean, and peanuts, etc. Food contains B12 includes liver, lean meat, kidneys, milk, cheese and eggs.

Calcium
Calcium can help adjust the nerve sensibility, to maintain the normal function of nervous system. Food contains calcium includes diary, fish (with bone), egg, red and green vegetables, soybean and etc.

Protein
The gray matter of the brain consist of more than 50% protein. Metabilism of bran also need it. To maintain all kinds of activities and nerve conducting material, a person needs different kinds of amino acid derived from protein.

Daily Suggested Doses
Omrga-3 fatty acid                                          1000-2000mg (containing more than 30% of DHA)
Lecithin                                                            1-2 scoops
Vitamin B group drink                                       1-2 scoops
Multi-Vitamin, containing zinc, iron, calcium     1-2 scoops
Protein supplement                                          1-2 scoops

Doctors highly recommended to breast feed babies before their 1st birthday to maximize the potential mental and physical development.