Nutrition and brain development

Maternal nutrition is a determining factor for brain development during gestation, since a diet that provides all the necessary macronutrients and micronutrients in the required amounts favors the correct growth and development of the fetus, especially at a cognitive and emotional level.

All nutrients are necessary for the correct functioning and brain development of the individual; however, some of them, such as proteins, some types of fatty acids, and certain micronutrients -such as iron, iodine, zinc, folic acid, choline, vitamin A, etc.- play a more prominent role than others in the growth and development of the brain in the fetal and neonatal period.

Consequences of energy and protein deficiencies in the mother's diet for the brain development of the baby

Insufficient energy and protein intakes during pregnancy cause, among other disorders, a reduction in the number of neurons and neuronal circuits; it impairs the arborization of the dendrites - which are thick extensions that leave the body of the neurons - and also affects the production of myelin, a structure that allows the transmission of nerve impulses over relatively long distances.

All this conditions the reduction of brain size and causes disorders in the neurotransmitter systems, mainly affecting the areas of the hippocampus, cerebellum and neocortex.

Energy and protein deficiencies in the diet of pregnant women can cause in the child: delays in learning, memory alterations, difficulties in the concentration of attention, low IQ, etcetera.

Importance of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) consumption during pregnancy for the brain development of the child.

The two most important polyunsaturated fatty acids in fetal development are DHA (Docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). DHA is present in large quantities in the brain and nervous system, forming part of its structure and collaborating in the performance of its functions.

On the other hand, EPA stands out for its anti-inflammatory and anticoagulant functions; it also helps to reduce the risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy since it reduces the levels of triglycerides in the blood, avoiding the increase of blood pressure.

The nutritional sources of EPA and DHA polyunsaturated fatty acids are fatty fish such as salmon, sardines, anchovies, bonito and mackerel. Pregnant women are recommended to consume at least two servings of fatty fish per week to meet the needs of brain development.

Minerals most involved in fetal brain development

Iron: Iron is found in several regions of the brain as part of enzymatic, structural, transporter or accumulator proteins. It also acts in the cells as a cofactor of several enzymes related to the synthesis of neurotransmitters. A high percentage of iron is also used in the formation of myelin.

Maternal iron deficiency can affect cognitive development, attention concentration, perception, memory and affective relationships of the baby.

Iodine: It is an essential micronutrient for the production of thyroid hormone. Severe iodine deficiencies during the fetal period and up to three years of age, causes delays in brain development, its most serious expression is "cretinism", which consists of a deep irreversible mental retardation.

Zinc: It is a micronutrient involved in gene expression, cell division and in the formation, growth, development and functionality of numerous organs, including the central nervous system. Zinc deficiencies during pregnancy can cause structural and functional alterations to the brain, leading to delayed cognitive functions and the appearance of behavioral disorders in the child.

Vitamins most involved in brain development in the fetal stage

Folic acid: Folic acid plays an important role in cell division, synthesis of amino acids and nucleic acids; resulting in a very necessary element for the development of the spine, brain and skull of the child.

Adequate intakes of folic acid before and during the first weeks of pregnancy reduce the risk of neural tube defects, which is a crucial structure in the correct conformation of the spinal cord and brain.

Choline: It participates in the production of an important neurotransmitter called acetylcholine; it intervenes in processes related to DNA, and maintains adequate levels of homocysteine in maternal plasma, collaborating together with folic acid to prevent malformations in the newborn. Deficiencies during pregnancy may affect the development of brain areas such as the hippocampus and white matter.

Vitamin A: Vitamin A is involved in the synthesis of visual pigments and in the multiplication and differentiation of nerve cells in the fetal period; it also influences the plasticity of synapses in the cerebral hippocampus, which plays a fundamental role in the onset and development of cognitive functions.

Beta-carotenes, precursors of vitamin A, promote the stabilization of biological membranes and together with other micronutrients such as selenium and vitamins C and E are involved in the protection of nervous tissue from oxidative stress.

Vitamin B6: Intervenes in the formation of neurotransmitters -in charge of transmitting information from one neuron to another neuron, a muscle cell or a gland-.