Fish Oil For Baby - Important Points of Research By Valerie Rosenbaum At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

Should a mom-to-be take fish oil for baby? If you are pregnant, you should follow your doctor’s recommendations. If your healthcare professionals are up to date on the latest research, here are a few things they will know.

Fish Oils Provide Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Omega-3s are long chained polyunsaturated fatty acids. They are found in a variety of foods, but in most foods, the omega6 content is much higher than the omega-3.

Oily fish is one of the few foods that provide more omega-3s than 6s. Pregnant women are often advised to eat no more than two servings of fish, with very low mercury content, per week. Because of that, there is an unhealthy imbalance of omega-3s to 6s in the average woman’s diet.

If you are pregnant and someone suggest that you take fish oil for baby, it is because of the omega-3 content, specifically and omega-3 called Docosahexaenoic acid or DHA, which is not found in other food sources.

Developing Brains and Eyes Need DHA

A great deal of the human brain is composed of fat. Of the omega-3 fatty acids in the brain, 40% by weight are DHAs.

Inside of the eye, there is an area called the retina. 60% of the retina is composed of DHA.

The retina is responsible for central vision. Premature infants sometimes have retinopathy, which is blood vessel growth in the retina. The blood vessels interfere with vision.

Retinopathies are seen in diabetics and sometimes in the elderly. An age-related condition called macular degeneration is the primary cause of blindness in the elderly. Research indicates that DHA supplementation is beneficial for all of those conditions.

When it comes to DHA fish oil for baby, it helps to reduce the risk of retinopathy and other visual problems. It may help prevent premature birth and pregnancy complications. Evidence indicates that low DHA intake plays a role in learning disorders, behavioral problems, attention deficit disorders and depression.

Omega-3 Intake during Pregnancy Reduces the Infant’s Risk of Allergies, Eczema and Asthma

DHA is found in human breast milk and has recently been used to fortify infant formulas. One of the reasons is the benefit to the immune system development. Research has determined that there is a reduced risk of allergies, eczema and asthma among infants whose mothers took fish oil for baby.

Not All Supplements Are the Same

If a doctor does not suggest supplementation, it is usually due to a concern about purity. The oils could be contaminated with mercury, dioxins and PCBs, all of which can cause birth defects.

The best manufacturers are able to prove the purity of their supplements with a certificate of analysis or COA. The COA lists contaminants, if they are present, as well as the omega-3 and DHA content.

If the supplement is free of contaminants, taking it is the easiest and least expensive way to insure that you get all of the nutrients that you need on a daily basis. These are things that your doctor should know about taking fish oil for baby. Hope that helps!

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