Scientific research has found that a child's brain grows up to 85% from the womb until the first 3 years, and the brain is the center of development. If the brain is developing well, other developments will be excellent as well. How can you, as a parent, support early childhood development during this period of rapid growth?
The essential thing that mothers cannot overlook during early childhood development is the different ways of developing their child's brain. Whether it is providing the child with good nutrition or giving them the opportunity to learn from a stimulating environment, the brain is the center of activity during this time.
Good nutrition plays a crucial role here. Did you know that giving your child food with nutrients like MFGM will help your child’s brain development, immune system, and even their excretion? These are key developments that all mothers want their children to have. Let's take a look at how MFGM can help your child gain these 3 things for better early childhood development.
Know a Little More About MFGM
MFGM or Milk Fat Globule Membrane is a biological membrane wrapped around milk fat particles, allowing them to mix well in the aqueous (liquid) part of the milk. MFGM is rich in fats and biological proteins which support the development of children’s bodies and brains1.
3 Ways MFGM Supports Early Childhood Development
1. Better Brain Development
MFGM promotes brain development, making it an important nutrient for the brain. This is because MFGM contains complex lipids such as sphingomyelin, phospholipids, and gangliosides. These various components provide different benefits such as supporting the formation of the myelin sheath to increase nerve signaling efficiency and the connection between brain cells2.
MFGM helps promote the connection between brain cells, so the brain can work at full capacity. Thus, providing a positive impact on brain development.
Research into brain development supports this. A 21-day laboratory experiment revealed that the nutrients in MFGM, in collaboration with DHA,had improved the chances of brain cell connectivity compared to DHA alone3.
2. Strong Immunity
A healthy immune system is important in early childhood development. This is especially true in today's environment where new pathogens are present in the air, and the changing weather makes children vulnerable to allergies and weakens health. To help defend against these threats, MFGM can help strengthen your child’s immune system.
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Studies have shown that certain proteins in MFGM help strengthen the body's immune system and the defense mechanism against viral and bacterial infection4,5.
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A study showed that MFGM reduces the risk of developing acute otitis media5.
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A study on a group of population found that those fed with MFGM-added formula had a shorter duration of fever or illness and took fewer antibiotics than those fed with formula without MFGM4. These are indicators of a stronger immunity6.
When your child has a strong immune system, they can fight against viral and bacterial infections better. A strong immune system also reduces the chance of illness or allergy.
3. Good Excretion
Gastrointestinal health is important in early childhood development. Picture a child who has constipation, diarrhea, or stomach discomfort all the time; they would undoubtedly be irritated and fussy. On the other hand, if a child has healthy digestion and good excretion, this will influence other aspects of their health, including managing emotions and the capacity to learn.
MFGM which can be found in formula milk7 and cow's milk helps in the fight against pathogenic microorganisms and promotes good gut health. This results in a healthy digestive system, which is one of the key factors to your child’s health in the long term.
Nutrition matters! Learn more about nutrition and early childhood development when you join Enfamama A+ Club.
