DHA/ARA in synthetic form - DID YOU KNOW?!

dmathis10

Did you all know that most formula companies extract DHA and ARA from fermented algae and fungus and that this can make your child very sick? The FDA does say that most infants end up tolerating it, but it is SO no good for them. I started researching today b/c another Bumpie informed me of this when I asked about Organic formula (see post below). I had no idea. I felt so guilty when I stopped BF and then got over it. Now I feel guilty again! I will definitely be talking to LO's pedi about Baby's Only Organic formula and supplementing with DHA that is naturally derived using a water process.

https://www.cornucopia.org/DHA/DHA_NewsRelease.pdf

gunsofbrixton

And let the BF and FF debate begin...Again... dont believe everything you read...some sources are extremely biased

ETA:: That article is put out by Cornacopia Institute. They are huge advocate for strictly organic...no wonder they would put that you should switch to organic only formula...they have a lot to gain by bad mouthing formula companies...

Bianca42

Honestly, if you knew the exact process for every item that went into your mouth, you'd be horrified.  You can take just about any food and spin it to be evil if you wanted to.

dmathis10

manda3987:

And let the BF and FF debate begin...Again... dont believe everything you read...some sources are extremely biased

ETA:: That article is put out by Cornacopia Institute. They are huge advocate for strictly organic...no wonder they would put that you should switch to organic only formula...they have a lot to gain by bad mouthing formula companies...

And, let me just say that I DO exclusively formula feed. I just want the best for my baby, ya know? I realize that lots of things I eat are terrible for me. But it helps to be informed.

octwed07

Bianca42:

Honestly, if you knew the exact process for every item that went into your mouth, you'd be horrified.  You can take just about any food and spin it to be evil if you wanted to.

this.  You'd never eat a meat product or even certain fruits and vegetables that have been sprayed with fertilizer, etc.  Also, the label of "organic" can also be misleading.

SnackBot

manda3987:

And let the BF and FF debate begin...Again... dont believe everything you read...some sources are extremely biased

ETA:: That article is put out by Cornacopia Institute. They are huge advocate for strictly organic...no wonder they would put that you should switch to organic only formula...they have a lot to gain by bad mouthing formula companies...

 FYI, I was that Bumpie that originally gave her some info on organic formula because she asked about it.  I'm not interested in the BF and FF debate; I have to supplement so I fully understand both sides.  I'm not pushing organic formula on anyone, and I'm not some crunchy Mom.  I just did quite a bit of research and came to conclusions that were best for my son and our family.  What works for us may not work for others; there is no judgment there.

With all that said, you cannot deny that synthetic DHA and ARA are manufactured using the methods indicated by the OP.  While she may have presented a biased citation, you can easily Google this issue and find info on the process from a variety of sources.  This production method may not bother you or other moms at all, which is fine.  But it bothered me immensely, and I made a decision based on it.  

Look at this way: if you're opposed to feeding your baby out of containers containing BPA, how could you possibly be okay with actually feeding your baby a product that likely contains trace amounts of a known neurotoxin?  I don't get it, but to each her own. 

dmathis10

Bianca42:

Honestly, if you knew the exact process for every item that went into your mouth, you'd be horrified.  You can take just about any food and spin it to be evil if you wanted to.

Yes, I know that for every item that goes in my mouth, I might be horrified at the process. But, my baby is eating nothing but formula for the first six months of her life. ONE THING. So, I want to make sure it's what I feel is the best (we had multiple issues with BF). I'm looking at DHA/ARA free formulas, too, not just organic ones.