Physical and cognitive development includes a number of stages: growth that provides the cells needed to make up tissues; cellular maturation to give rise to mature, functional tissue; and cellular communication that allows separate tissues to work together to maintain overall health. Nutrients from your diet play a role in physical and cognitive development, with proper nutrition proving important for development in utero, as well for development through childhood.
Importance of Vitamin A
The presence of vitamin A proves important for the developing baby. Your body breaks down vitamin A into a range of related chemicals, called retinoids. Different retinoids can communicate with cells and tissue within a developing fetus, regulating cellular growth maturation. Adequate vitamin A plays a role in arm and leg development, eye, ear and cardiovascular development within the developing fetus. In addition, vitamin A plays a role in healthy skin development and immune function, and a vitamin A deficiency can increase the risk of HIV transmission between a mother and child during childbirth.
Importance of Folic Acid
Consuming folic acid during pregnancy also proves important for physical and cognitive development. Folic acid plays a role in the formation of the neural tube, an embryonic structure that eventually develops into the mature brain and spinal cord. Deficiencies in folic acid during pregnancy can prevent proper neural tube formation, disrupting the development of a child's nervous system and decreasing cognitive function later in life. Pregnant women may require folic acid supplementation in the form of pre-natal vitamins, to help support proper neural and cognitive development for their babies.
Importance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Consuming omega-3 fatty acids also supports proper physical and cognitive development. DHA, a specific type of omega-3 fatty acid, plays an important role in the development of the nervous and visual systems in children. In addition, the embryonic, child, adolescent and adult brain requires omega-3 fatty acids to maintain proper nerve function, since these fats contribute to nerve cell membranes. Omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies can impair cognitive development, leading to poor memory and poor emotional regulation.
Considerations and Warnings
While specific nutrients prove particularly important to physical and cognitive development, several nutrients play a role in proper fetal, childhood and adolescent development, as well as the functioning of fully developed adult tissue. Consuming a diet rich in whole grains, lean proteins, vegetables, fruits and legumes can provide the nutrients required for proper physical and cognitive development. If you're pregnant, talk to your doctor to determine an appropriate diet to support a developing baby, as well as address any need for additional dietary supplements. Never take dietary supplements without your doctor's permission, especially if you're pregnant, since large doses of specific vitamins -- like vitamin A -- might harm a developing fetus.
References
- Linus Pauling Institute; Vitamin A; Dr. Jane Higdon; December 2003
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Vitamin B-9 (Folic Acid); Dr. Steven Ehrlich; May 2009
- Linus Pauling Institute; Essential Fatty Acids; Dr. Jane Higdon; December 2005
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Omega-3 Fatty Acids; Dr. Steven Ehrlich; June 2009
