Madam Editor:
We would like to complement the findings of the article “Daily Stress, Executive Functions, and Academic Performance in Primary School Children” by Armstrong-Gallegos and Troncoso-Díaz, published in the Revista Ecuatoriana de Neurología (Vol. 33, No. 1, 2024). In this regard, we propose adding the perspective of the first two years of life, understanding it as a critical stage in this process.
Brain development in early childhood is rapid and crucial, and nutrition plays a fundamental role during these first years of life. Nutrients such as iron, fatty acids like omega-3, and B-complex vitamins support key processes such as myelination and synaptogenesis. These processes, in turn, are essential for executive functions (EF) such as working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility. Conversely, the lack of these nutrients may lead to long-term difficulties in self-regulation, affecting performance in social and educational environments.
Additionally, glucose, as the brain’s main source of energy, when blood levels fluctuate excessively, may hinder focus and impulse control, thereby affecting both performance and interactions with others.
