The close relationship between the health of the digestive system and the brain development of children

Every parent wants their children to grow up smart and healthy. To get that, children need comprehensive care in the digestive system and brain. These two organs in the body are closely linked with each other. A good digestive system will help children smarter. Meanwhile, a healthy brain helps the digestive system work more smoothly. Without one of these two factors, the rest will not have conditions for optimal development.

The impact of the digestive system on the brain of the child

The two most powerful effects of the digestive system on a child's brain include:

Serotonin production helps children develop brain 

Serotonin is a natural chemical in the body that acts as a neurotransmitter hormone that regulates cognition, regulates mental performance, handles stress, and determines sleep quality . The brain is supplied with adequate amounts of serotonin, which speeds up the connection of nerve cells to receive and process information. This is also the basis for the baby to develop and perfect the brain. Conversely, a lack of serotonin can cause a baby's brain to have serious problems with the ability to think and process information.

Up to 95% of the brain's serotonin hormone is produced by the digestive system. That means a healthy digestive system produces sufficient quantity and quality of the hormone serotonin for the brain to take in and function.

Perfecting immune system, maintaining and protecting a healthy brain

Every other part of the body is protected by the immune system from harmful agents, including the brain. The digestive system is the main organ responsible for the training of immune cells. If the immune system is considered to be a shield to repel pathogens, the digestive system is the place to help that shield improve its ability to function. On the intestinal wall there are numerous lymph nodes (also known as payer plaques). These payer plaques are considered training centers so that about 80% of immune cells throughout the body learn to stop and destroy pathogens.

With babies and young children, the immune system is not fully developed. The brain and other organs are very vulnerable to damage caused by many harmful factors. Therefore, building a healthy digestive system is the "key" to help your baby's body strengthen and strengthen immunity to protect the brain.

The impact of the brain on the child's digestive system

Through the central nervous system, the brain controls the activities of most parts of the body. Including parts of the digestive system. A lucid brain will give insightful "instructions" for organs to work properly.

Conversely, a poorly functioning brain sends false signals to the central nervous system . When receiving the wrong information, the child's digestive system will also function incorrectly. The result of this erroneous process is that the child's body has poor nutrient absorption and is susceptible to digestive diseases.

The first 12 months after birth, babies have to go through a period of natural adaptation . At this time, the baby gradually gets acquainted with factors outside the womb such as noise, environment, weather, food, disease-causing factors ... This stage will stress the baby and make the baby more susceptible to dyspepsia. The most common is constipation. Without timely intervention, long-term constipation will lead to anorexia, stunting and poor nutrient absorption.

The relationship between resonance and the interaction between the baby's digestive system and brain development requires parents to know how to balance both of these factors in the process of caring for the child. For babies to be smart, they need a healthy digestive system. At the same time, for the digestive system to function properly, the baby's brain must be wise enough to guide it.

Helping children develop comprehensively both digestive and brain early in the first years

Adequate supplementation of nutrients to help children have a healthy digestive system and a developing brain in the first year is the foundation for children to have optimal and comprehensive development in the later stages.

During this period, the baby's main source of food is breast milk. Therefore, mothers need to apply a scientific diet, rich diets and prioritize foods that are good for the gut and mood. Nutrients from food will flow through the breast milk into your baby's body. From there, your child's body will also receive the nutrients needed for growth and development. Remember that only when a mother is nourished can she give her baby a full stream of nutritious milk.

If it is necessary to supplement baby formula milk, mothers should prioritize the choices of milk that both ensure a healthy baby's digestive system, and provide indispensable nutrients to lay the foundation for dark development of the brain. pros.

For your baby to have a good digestive system, breastmilk chooses to provide the following nutrients:

Fat from sunflower oil, coconut oil or soybean oil instead of palm oil - ingredients that harden stools and cause constipation in babies when drinking formula. Based on the ingredients table printed on the milk box, mothers should prioritize choosing the products that clearly list the name of the oil used instead of just stating "vegetable oil" in general.

Prebiotic fiber FOS, Nucleotides and HMO. If the FOS prebiotic fiber increases stool volume, making stools softer to solve the child's constipation problem, Nucleotides help reduce diarrhea and together with HMO - act as the "bait" to block the triggers. Harms the digestive tract to penetrate inside, helping to strengthen the resistance.

The mother also needs to pay attention to regularly monitor the child's stool status to promptly recognize the health problems that are happening in the child. You can refer to the breakdown of your child's stool status here .

Brain development for children early, even from pregnancy, is also an important task that mothers cannot miss. The following nutrients will be "powerful assistants" of the mother:

DHA: Scientific studies have confirmed the importance of DHA to children's brain. However, DHA from milk and foods is a very easily oxidized nutrient. To avoid DHA loss before the baby's body absorbs it, mothers should prioritize milk with the presence of powerful antioxidants .

Natural Vitamin E: This nutrient is found in brain regions involved in children's memory, language and vision development. Besides, natural vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant, helping to protect DHA from oxidation. You also need to remember that natural vitamin E is more bioavailable than synthetic. As a result, the child's brain is more easily absorbed than synthetic vitamin E.

Lutein: This nutrient accounts for 77% of the carotenoids that form brain structure. Carotenoids are important nutrients that determine a child's ability to memorize, develop language, hear and see. In addition, Lutein is also a powerful antioxidant. According to research published in the Journal of Pediatric Nutrition Advocate in 2009, lutein along with natural vitamin E helps reduce 57% of MDA levels - a product of DHA when oxidized.

Thus, she was able to understand how the strong two-way connection between a healthy digestive system and brain development plays out. The first year of life is the "golden age" for all future development milestones. Therefore, it is very important to actively supplement nutrients to both care for the digestive system and to help children get enough nutrients necessary for the maximum brain development to develop comprehensively . And this is the stage when a child only goes through once in his life, please equip me with the best things, mom!