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Why Are Experts Recommending Fish Oil For Pregnant Women?

There are many benefits that cause experts to recommend fish oil for pregnant women.

Substantial research has shown that an adequate intake of the Omega 3 component DHA is essential to ensure normal development of an infant's brain and central nervous system.

What is DHA, Anyway?

DHA stands for docosahexaenoic acid and it is what is called a long-chain unsaturated fatty acid.

Along with EPA, eicosapentaenoic acid, DHA is a main component of fish oil supplements.

Studies have shown that an adequate intake of DHA improves verbal communication skills at 6 and 18 months of age, reduces the risk of pre-term birth (low birth weight), improves an infant's problem-solving capacity and improves eye and hand coordination. 

Studies have even shown that adequate DHA results in a higher intelligent quotient (IQ) in children at 4 years of age.

On top of all of that, there is a study from the University of British Columbia, done in 2008, that establishes that adequate DHA intake by the mother improves visual acuity of children at age 2 months.

In this study, half of the participating mothers was given a DHA supplement of 400 mg per day and the other half was given a placebo.  Except for the DHA supplement, there was no significant difference between the diets of the two groups.  However, the DHA concentration in the group taking the supplement, measured not long before the time of delivery, was 32% higher than in the group taking the placebo.

At 2 months, the visual acuity of the newborns was tested.  The results?  Infants born to mothers in the placebo-taking group were 3 times more likely to have a low visual acuity score than the children of mothers who took the DHA supplement.  And, the proportion of children having a higher than average visual acuity score was also significantly higher among infants born to the mothers who had taken the DHA supplement.

What Is The Best Way For Mothers To Get Enough DHA?

The University of British Columbia study, and many others, establish that your baby needs an adequate supply of DHA Omega 3 fatty acids if its brain and central nervous system are to develop properly. 

How much is adequate?

The current recommendation is that you consume 300 mg of DHA per day to be able to provide adequate DHA to your developing fetus and then, after the birth, to provide it to your newborn.

DHA and EPA are "essential fatty acids" (EFA).  This means that, although they are necessary for health, your body cannot produce them.  You must take them in through your diet.

The main source of DHA and EPA Omega 3 is cold water fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel, halibut, tuna, hoki and cod, although smaller amounts are contained in organically raised animal products like free-range eggs, chickens and grass-fed beef.

While eating a balanced diet may produce enough DHA for you and your baby, it is important that you get the supplement consistently and in the right amount.  If you aren't sure you can eat enough of the right kinds of fish regularly, an option is to take a high quality, pure fish oil supplement.

So, why are experts recommending fish oil for pregnant women?  To make sure they receive a consistent and adequate supply of the critical DHA Omega 3 fatty acid.

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