Increasing evidence points to the fact that taking Omega 3 during pregnancy can have positive affects for both mama and baby.
We'll explore exactly what those are, including which supplements to take and in what dosage.
What Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Pregnancy?
Fatty acids are the building blocks of a baby's brain and its eyes, so it stands to reason you want a good source of this in your diet while pregnant.
In fact, mothers, too, will benefit from taking high quality omega supplements with studies pointing to lower cases of perinatal depression and a correctly termed gestation period.
The fats to look for, in particular, are the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA and DHA) but, as Western diets have evolved, these occur less and less in our everyday meals.
Even for those people that do eat fish by choice, the increasing amounts of heavy metals and PCB's in the oceans make this an unappetising choice, especially where the health of a foetus is concerned.
It is for this reason that most people now prefer to choose algae oil over fish, which still contains the valuable long chatty fatty acids but in a vegan form that is sustainable and ethical.
In fact, it is by eating algae that fish accrue high levels of fatty acids in their tissues in the first place. So it makes sense to go directly to the source.
Why Is Omega 3 Important During Pregnancy?
Omega 3's have many benefits to both mother and baby during pregnancy, as follows:
- Reduced risk of your baby developing eczema later in life (1)
- Optimum bone development (2)
- May improve visual acuity and cognitive performance (3)
- Reduced risk of a premature birth (4)
- Optimum birth weight (4)
How Much Omega 3 Should You Take in Pregnancy?
Nutritionists recommend at least 200mg of high quality DHA per day to maximise foetal health and a healthy pregnancy.
Even for fish eaters, getting this kind of dose is next to impossible, so a supplement is the usual choice.
Of these, a DHA supplement is the critical one to choose for foetal brain development. In fact, during the last trimester of pregnancy, the foetus accrues around 50 to 70 mg of omega-3 fatty acid, DHA each day!
The Cleanest, Safest Omega 3 Supplement for Pregnancy
Clean Omega is an algal oil developed by the Phytality team over several years to deliver an optimum omega-3 supplement for pregnancy.
It is produced in a sustainble closed-loop system using a special wild-algal strain that contains naturally high levels of DHA.
Our unique processing and encapsulation methods ensure zero oxidisation or rancidity.
It is completely pure, bioavailable, and the ideal way to ensure you get all the DHA you need.
- Certified Vegan
- Solvent Free
- Each capsule offers 250mg of DHA
References