Should Expectant Mothers and Nursing Women Take Omega3 Fishoil Pills?

There is certainly clear proof of the significance of the efa’s called the Omega3 fatty acids and particularly DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) as well as EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) in the developmental process of the human unborn infant and baby. (And for that matter for all individuals right through their existence.)

In the past numerous health care professionals advised against dietary supplementation with Omega-3 fishoil pills containing the Omega3 polyunsaturated fatty acids for mothers-to-be and nursing moms..

However the evidence is increasing that an sufficient supply of the efa’s and particularly DHA is vital for adequate development of the fetus and child. And in particular to the mental development of the fetus and child, as well as in other areas.

It’s usually regarded that toddlers which are breast fed have a better rate of brain development than others which are brought up on formula. Some scientists suspect that the main reason is for this is the fact that moms breast milk includes DHA in particular, whilst formula usually doesn’t.

There is also evidence that preterm babies are deficient in DHA. Additionally it is suspected the reasons that this is so is they haven’t undergone the 3rd trimester of pregnancy which usually is the time when much of the DHA required for the development of the baby is laid down.

Studies are now showing that premature infants lacking in DHA can improve their rates of brain and intellectual development where nursing moms supplement their diet with fishoil tablets or where formula fed infants are fed DHA fortified formula.

And it’s not only preterm babies. There’s clear proof that an adequate level of the Omega3 efa’s 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.

While the argument continues over whether expectant or nursing females should supplement their own diet and the diet of their infants with the Omega3 fats there is little argument over the belief that most of us, and naturally that includes pregnant and breastfeeding women, are deficient in the essential fatty acids known as the Omega3 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 Omega 3 fats in our diet.

Regardless of whether or not a expectant or breastfeeding woman ought to augment her diet with fish oil dietary supplements is a subject between the woman and her medical professional. Nevertheless the research is developing that infants require adequate amounts of the fatty acids in their diet for proper growth.

Find out more regarding the essential fatty acids DHA and EPA and particularly about pregnancy and fish oil supplementation.

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