Should Expectant Mothers And Breastfeeding Women Consider Taking Omega-3 Fishoil Pills?

July 28th, 2010 Posted in Mental Health

There is certainly distinct proof of the value of the efa’s known as the Omega3 essential fatty acids and in particular DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) and also EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) in the developing process of the human fetus and baby. (And for that matter for all individuals right through their life.)

In the past numerous health care professionals advised against dietary supplementation with Omega 3 fish oil nutritional supplements containing the Omega3 efa’s for pregnant and breastfeeding women..

However the proof is growing that an adequate supply of the efa’s and in particular DHA is very important for adequate development of the unborn infant and baby. And particularly to the mental development of the fetus and baby, in addition to in some other areas.

It can be usually considered that toddlers who are breastfed have a better rate of brain development than others who are brought up on formula. Several scientists suspect that the reason is for this is the fact that mothers breast milk includes DHA in particular, whereas bottled milk normally doesn’t.

There is also data that preterm babies are deficient in DHA. It’s also thought that the reasons that this is the case is they haven’t gone through the third trimester of pregnancy which is the time when much of the DHA necessary for the development of the baby is laid down.

Scientific studies at the moment are demonstrating that preterm babies low in DHA can increase their rates of brain and intellectual development where breast feeding mums complement their diet with fishoil capsules or where bottle fed toddlers are fed DHA fortified bottled milk.

And it’s not just premature babies. There’s apparent evidence that an adequate level of the Omega3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the diet of toddlers is important to the development of the baby in a variety of different areas including mental development.

Whilst the debate remains over whether expectant or nursing women should supplement their diet as well as the diet of their toddlers with the Omega 3 fats now there is little argument over the belief that most of us, and of course that includes expectant and nursing women, are deficient in the efa’s known as the Omega3 fats. This is a result of the decline in our intake of seafood over the last hundred years.

Fish and in particular oily fish is the primary source of the Omega-3 fatty acids in our diet.

Regardless of whether or not a pregnant or breastfeeding woman should augment her eating routine with fishoil health supplements is a matter between the woman and her medical professional. Nevertheless the research is developing that infants need sufficient amounts of the essential fatty acids in their diet for proper development.

Learn more regarding the fatty acids DHA and EPA and in particular about breastfeeding fish oil supplementation.