Why Is Dha Important During Pregnancy?
This essential fat-building block is involved in fetal growth and development. It’s not only helpful for baby, but mama too: A 2020 research review showed that DHA may help improve depressive moods in the perinatal period (late pregnancy through early postpartum). Although DHA is present in some foods such as fatty fish, many people may not get adequate levels, especially during pregnancy.
That’s why doctors often recommend a DHA supplement before, during, and after pregnancy. More specifically, your brain, skin, and eyes rely on adequate DHA levels for optimal health. Dara Godfrey, MS, RD, registered dietician for Reproductive Medicine Associates of New York, says DHA during pregnancy helps support the following in a growing baby: brain development
eye development
nervous system development Godfrey says getting adequate DHA can also help: prevent preterm labor
ensure a healthy birth weight
support a mother’s mood during the postpartum period According to Sherry Ross, MD, an OB-GYN and women’s health expert at Providence Saint John’s Health Center, the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, are thought to provide the majority of the health benefits.
“But DHA is the most prevalent fat in our brain and may influence the development of cognitive abilities including the attention span in infants,” Ross explains.
What Is Prenatal Dha?
Hare on Pinterest AndreyPopov/Getty Images Prenatal DHA is a type of vitamin or supplement containing the omega-3 fatty acid DHA.
Dietary Sources
It Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Because children need omega-3 fatty acids for their brains to develop properly, researchers have examined whether fish oil might reduce ADHD symptoms.
Depression
Although some studies show that fish oil reduces symptoms of depression, it is not clear whether DHA by itself has the same effect. Heart Disease
Fish oil appears to help improve outcomes for people who already have heart disease. It may also lower the risk for developing heart disease.
Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil help lower triglycerides (fats in the blood), lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of blood clots, improve the health of arteries, and reduce the amount of arterial plaque, which narrows arteries and causes heart disease. Fatty fish include salmon, herring, lake trout, sardines and albacore tuna. Ask your doctor if fish oil supplements are right for you.
Breastfed babies with healthy mothers should get enough DHA in breast milk. Rheumatoid Arthritis
Several small studies found that fish oil may help reduce symptoms and inflammation linked with rheumatoid arthritis. Menstrual Pain
Fish oil seems to reduce the pain of menstrual cramps when taken on a regular basis (not just when menstruating).
Doses this high should be taken only under a doctor’s supervision. Lupus
Preliminary studies suggest that fish oil may reduce the fatigue and joint pain associated with lupu.
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Ential for the growth and functional development of the brain in infants.
The inclusion of plentiful DHA in the diet improves learning ability, whereas deficiencies of DHA are associated with deficits in learning. Dha is taken up by the brain in preference to other fatty acids. The turnover of DHA in the brain is very fast, more so than is generally realized.
The visual acuity of healthy, full-term, formula-fed infants is increased when their formula includes DHA. During the last 50 years, many infants have been fed formula diets lacking DHA and other omega-3 fatty acids. The leading cause of death in western nations is cardiovascular disease.
Epidemiological studies have shown a strong correlation between fish consumption and reduction in sudden death from myocardial infarction. The association of DHA deficiency with depression is the reason for the robust positive correlation between depression and myocardial infarction. Patients with cardiovascular disease or Type II diabetes are often advised to adopt a low-fat diet with a high proportion of carbohydrate.
A study with women shows that this type of diet increases plasma triglycerides and the severity of Type II diabetes and coronary heart disease. Dha is present in fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel) and mother’s milk. These longchain n-3 fatty acids (also known as omega-3 fatty acids) are now becoming available in some foods, especially infant formula and eggs in Europe and Japan.