During early childhood, the brain develops faster than any other part of the body.  A young child’s brain grows rapidly for at least the first 18 months of life, and does not reach 90 percent of its adult weight until the fifth birthday.

To promote optimal brain development, it’s important to provide good nutrition.  First of all, your toddler’s brain depends on calories and, in particular, protein, to grow.

Toddlers also need an optimally high level of fat to help build myelin, a dense fatty substance.  During the first 2 years of life, the axons—the long “wires” that connect brain cells—are rapidly being coated with myelin.  It protects the brain’s nerve fibers and helps the axons send messages more quickly.

Other biofactors are also important for mental development.  Zinc is needed during the myelination process.  And iron is another essential “fuel” for brain growth.  Recent studies have also suggested that DHA and AA—which are a major component of the fats found in the brain—may enhance mental development.