Fatty acid supplementation in infancy reduces blood pressure later in childhood

Adding long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids to infant formula milk results in lower blood pressure later in childhood. In a study following up a trial in which newborn infants were randomised to receive either a supplemented formula or a formula without supplementation, Forsyth and colleagues (p 953) found that mean blood pressure at the age of 6 years was lower among the children who had received supplementation. It was similar to that of a reference group of children who had been breast fed. Differences in blood pressure in children tend to track through into adulthood, and so early dietary intervention may reduce cardiovascular risk in later life.

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Relevant Article

Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in infant formula and blood pressure in later childhood: follow up of a randomised controlled trial

J S Forsyth, P Willatts, C Agostoni, J Bissenden, P Casaer, and G Boehm
BMJ 2003 326: 953. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]