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Fish Oil Supplements Can Help Expecting Mothers

by Michael Byrd

Fish oils exept during pregnancy have long been known to be benefical to human health. During pregnancy, however its always wise to consider what health advice is best for mother and unborn baby. So in your opinion, should pregnant woman take fish oil supplements?

Pregnant women, who need the Omega 3 fatty acid, should supplement with a fish oil that does not contain any Vitamin A or D in it. Cod liver oil, and other oils made from fish livers, contain Vitamin A and D. These are NOT found in pure fish oil. The Omega 3 is certainly different than the Cod liver oil that some remember taking as children years ago.

If a fish oil supplement is derived from fish flesh, it is okay for pregnant women to ingest. Moreover, this kind of fish oil has been demonstrated to benefit the health of both the fetus and the mother. Specifically, supplementing with a substance known as omega 3 is suggested for optimal health during pregnancy.

It is essential for all expectant mothers to include omega 3 liberally in diet during whole last trimester of pregnancy. It is already proved that 8% of human brain is composed of such type of fatty acids. These fatty acids help in development of brain and eyes of the child to be born. It is also proved by some studies that low omega 3 intake in pregnancy lower child's IQ, improper hand - eye coordination and difficulty in making friends.

There's a lot of discussion of Omega 3 essential fatty acids in the health literature at the moment. It's referred to as 'essential' because our bodies require it but can't produce it, so it must be acquired through food or dietary supplements. Omega 3 contains the important substances docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). If you eat a lot of fish such as salmon, sardines or mackerel, your diet will provide the omega 3 you need. However, there have been warnings that eating too much fish during pregnancy might be dangerous, as some fish can contain high concentrations of heavy metals.

It is essential that pregnant women get enough of the Omega 3 fatty acids. Plants, such as flax and pumpkin seeds, contain ALA. An Omega 3 fatty acid, ALA cannot be broke down by the human body into a usable form of Omega 3. To ensure the mother-to-be is getting this vital nutrient, it is advised she take a upplement made of the flesh of fish which contain the oils.

The child is not the only one to benefit from Omega 3 during pregnancy - the oil also helps combat the depression that can often affect expectant mothers. There is no shortage of companies who produce fish oil supplements which are safe to use in pregnancy. These supplements are guaranteed not to contain fish liver oils and have also be processed so the oils are easy for the body to absorb. With so many possible advantages to be gained from taking omega 3 supplements during pregnancy, it's very wise to consider them.

While fish oil supplements are beneficial for health, during pregnancy, it's important to obtain these supplements from a safe source. Some oils from fish livers, such as cod liver, contain vitamin A, which should be avoided during pregnancy. However, supplements derived from fish flesh, especially omega 3, are not only safe, but recommended during pregnancy. Omega 3 benefits both the fetus, by providing fatty acid which is important for brain and eye development, and the mother, by assuaging depression. All these benefits mean every mother-to-be should strongly consider taking omega 3 supplements during pregnancy.

Published May 31st, 2007

Filed in Family, Health, Women

 
 
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