Fish Oil Supplements: Safe For Pregnancy, Too

by Michael Byrd

Fish oils exept during pregnancy have long been known to be benefical to human health. During pregnancy, however its always wise to consider what health advice is best for mother and unborn baby. So in your opinion, should pregnant woman take fish oil supplements?

It is crucial to remember that the cod liver oil children used to be given by their parents is not identical to omega 3 fish oil. Vitamins A and D are included in cold liver oil and other oils processed from fish livers, but they are not present in pure fish oil. Pregnant women benefit far more from fish oil that is free from Vitamins A and D.

If a fish oil supplement is derived from fish flesh, it is okay for pregnant women to ingest. Moreover, this kind of fish oil has been demonstrated to benefit the health of both the fetus and the mother. Specifically, supplementing with a substance known as omega 3 is suggested for optimal health during pregnancy.

Omega 3 fatty acids are extremely important to the development of the unborn fetus, even more so during the last three months of pregnancy. The unborn child's brain and eyes depend on this essential nutrient from the mother. While the human brain is composed of 8% of the Omega 3, it is also shown that a low intake of this during the last 3 months of pregnancy can actually lower a child's IQ, cause poor hand-eye coordination, and difficulty making friends.

One of the most popular topics in health literature today is omega 3 essential fatty acids. The body cannot make it naturally, so we must get it from our food or through dietary supplements. The important components in omega 3 fatty acids are docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and certain fish such as sardines, salmon, and mackerel are good sources of these important nutrients. Since these fish may also have a high concentration of heavy metals such as mercury, women should be aware of this during pregnancy.

%NL% Plants especially like flax and pumpkin seeds contain a substance named ALA, which is an omega of three fatty acids, which body is naturally unable to convert ALA in soluble and usable form meeting prescribed and recommended amount for pregnant women. To avail expecting mothers to get enough, they should be given dietary supplements of muscles of fish containing these oils.

Omega 3 benefits during pregnancy are not limited to the child - it has also been shown to alleviate depression which is all too common among mothers-to-be. There are many companies which market high quality fish oil supplements suitable for pregnant women. These are guaranteed to be free from fish liver oils and have been processed so that the oils are more easily absorbed by the body. There are so many benefits to taking omega 3 supplements during pregnancy that it would be foolish not to consider them.

Pregnant women should take fish oil supplements, for better health of both fetus and expectant mother. Fish oil is different from fish liver oil such as cod liver oil. The latter contains vitamins A and D but should not be taken by pregnant women. High quality fish oils are processed so that the body more easily absorbs them. A fatty acid abundant in sardines, salmon and mackerel, fish oil such as Omega 3 benefits thru its docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) elements. Omega 3 supplements during pregnancy are especially recommended during the last three months of pregnancy for better IQ and hand-eye coordination of the child.

Published May 31st, 2007

Filed in Family