Should Pregnant And Breastfeeding Women Consider Taking Omega3 Fish Oil Dietary Supplements?
Posted by Babies - 24/07/10 at 10:07 pmThere is distinct proof of the significance of the polyunsaturated fatty acids known as the Omega-3 fatty acids and in particular DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) as well as EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) in the developing process of the human unborn infant and baby. (And even for a lot of people right throughout their life.)
Previously numerous health care professionals advised against nutritional supplementation with Omega 3 fishoil supplements containing the Omega3 efa’s for pregnant and nursing moms..
However the proof is growing that an adequate supply of the polyunsaturated fatty acids and particularly DHA is very important for adequate development of the unborn infant and baby. And in particular for the mental development of the unborn infant and child, as well as in some other areas of health.
It can be usually regarded that toddlers who are breast fed have got a better pace of mental development compared to those which are brought up on formula. Several experts suspect that the main reason is for this is that moms breastmilk includes DHA especially, whilst formula usually doesn’t.
Addititionally there is evidence that premature babies are low in DHA. Additionally it is thought that the reasons that this is the case is that they have not undergone the third trimester of pregnancy which usually is the time when much of the DHA needed for the development of the infant is put down.
Scientific studies are now demonstrating that premature babies low in DHA can improve their rates of brain and intellectual improvement where breastfeeding mothers complement their diet with fishoil pills or where bottle fed babies are fed DHA fortified formula.
And it’s not just premature infants. There is apparent evidence that an sufficient level of the Omega 3 efa’s in the diet of all toddlers is very important to the development of the baby in a variety of diverse areas including brain development.
Whilst the argument remains over whether or not expectant or nursing women should supplement their own diet as well as the diet of their infants with the Omega-3 fats there is now little argument over the belief that the majority of us, and naturally that involves pregnant and breastfeeding women, are deficient in the essential 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.
Seafood and particularly oily fish is the primary source of the Omega3 fatty acids in our diet.
Whether or not a pregnant or nursing female should augment her eating routine with fishoil pills is a matter involving the woman and her physician. Nevertheless the basic research is developing that toddlers require sufficient amounts of the essential fatty acids in their diet for appropriate development.
Find out more regarding the polyunsaturated fatty acids DHA and EPA and especially about breastfeeding fish oil supplementation.
