Should Expectant Mothers And Breastfeeding Women Take Omega-3 Fishoil Supplements?
August 17th, 2010There is certainly distinct evidence of the value of the fatty acids referred to as the Omega 3 efas and in particular DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) and also EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) in the developing process of the human fetus and child. (And for that matter for all people right through their life.)
In the past numerous health care professionals advised against dietary supplementation with Omega 3 fishoil supplements containing the Omega-3 fatty acids for mothers-to-be and breastfeeding moms..
However the proof is increasing that an adequate supply of the fatty acids and particularly DHA is very important for adequate growth of the fetus and child. And particularly for the mental development of the unborn infant and child, in addition to in other areas.
It can be usually regarded that babies which are breastfed have got a better pace of mental development than those who are brought up on bottled formula. Several experts suspect that the main reason is for this is that mothers breastmilk contains DHA in particular, whilst bottled milk usually doesn’t.
Addititionally there is data that premature infants are low in DHA. It’s also thought the reasons that this is so is that they haven’t undergone the third trimester of pregnancy which usually is the time when much of the DHA required for good development of the baby is put down.
Scientific studies are now showing that premature infants lacking in DHA can improve their rates of mental and intellectual development where breastfeeding mothers supplement their diet with pills or where bottle fed babies are fed DHA fortified formula.
And it’s not just preterm babies. There’s apparent evidence an adequate amount of the Omega3 fatty acids in the diet of all infants is very important to the development of the infant in a number of diverse areas which includes mental development.
Whilst the argument remains over whether or not pregnant or breastfeeding women should supplement their diet as well as the diet of their toddlers with the Omega3 fats there is now little argument over the fact that the majority of us, and of course that includes expectant and nursing women, are deficient in the fatty acids known as the Omega 3 fats. This is a result of the decline in our intake of seafood over the last hundred years.
Fish and particularly oily fish is the principal source of the Omega3 fats in our diet.
Whether or not a expectant or nursing female should supplement her diet with fishoil health supplements is a subject involving the woman and her doctor. Nevertheless the research is growing that babies require sufficient levels of the efa’s in their diet for appropriate development.
Learn more about the efa’s DHA and EPA and especially about breastfeeding and omega 3 supplementation.












