A team of scientists at Guelph University has discovered a natural way to produce cow's milk as rich in omega-3 fatty acids as fish. A particular omega-3 fatty acid, known as DHA, ensures the proper development of the brain and the retina and experts feel that foods containing DHA should be part of the diet of babies and young children. In addition to breast milk and fish, egg whites contain DHA but in a lesser quantity. Although cow's milk is full of the calcium and protein, it has no naturally occurring DHA. By developing pellets rich in DHA and feeding them to cattle, the scientists were able to produce milk fortified with the nutrient. Canadian researcher on the project, Dr. Bruce Holub, hopes this discovery will improve the diet for children in North America, who eat less DHA than their European and Japanese peers. Although a British company has expressed interest in commercializing the process of feeding cows with DHA-rich dietary supplements, don't expect this product in your dairy case soon. Obstacles to DHA supplements for North American cows remain, as Canadian laws prohibit the addition of non-essential nutrients, currently including DHA, to food.
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