Are omega-3 fatty acids important for pregnant or lactating women?
Yes, omega-3s are absolutely vital during pregnancy and lactation. Babies have an absolute need for the omega-3 fatty acids for their brain and visual system development. Babies obtain their omega-3 from their mother through the placenta during pregnancy and from breast milk in the postpartum period. In fact, the baby will take the mothers supply of omega-3 fatty acids even if the mother is relatively deficient. This means that a new mother who has a low consumption of fish or other omega-3 sources will probably become profoundly deficient after having a baby. There are also studies that show this depletion will get worse with each pregnancy. Women giving birth to twins or triplets are even more susceptible to omega-3 depletion. Moreover, women whose intake of omega-3 during pregnancy is low, run a higher risk of developing postpartum depression. It is therefore prudent to say that in order to meet both the mothers and the childs need for omega-3 fatty acids, all pregnant women should
Yes. The Omega-3 fatty acids are absolutely necessary during pregnancy and lactation. Babies have an absolute need for the Omega-3 fatty acids for their brain and visual system development. Babies obtain their Omega-3 fatty acids from the mother through the placenta during pregnancy and from breast milk in the post-partum period. In fact, the baby will take the mother’s supply of Omega-3 fatty acids, even if the mother is relatively deficient. This means that a new mother who has a low consumption of fish or other Omega-3 sources will become profoundly depleted after having a baby. There are research studies showing that this depletion will get worse with each pregnancy. Women giving birth to twins or triplets are even more susceptible to Omega-3 depletion. It is safe to say that all pregnant women should be receiving Omega-3 fatty acids. However, the best way to receive Omega-3s is controversial. Too much fish can expose the mother and baby to toxins found all too often in fish, such
Yes, omega-3s are absolutely vital during pregnancy and lactation. Babies have an absolute need for the omega-3 fatty acids for their brain and visual system development. Babies obtain their omega-3 from their mother through the placenta during pregnancy and from breast milk in the postpartum period. In fact, the baby will take the mother’s supply of omega-3 fatty acids even if the mother is relatively deficient. This means that a new mother who has a low consumption of fish or other omega-3 sources will probably become profoundly deficient after having a baby. There are also studies that show this depletion will get worse with each pregnancy. Women giving birth to twins or triplets are even more susceptible to omega-3 depletion. Moreover, women whose intake of omega-3 during pregnancy is low, run a higher risk of developing postpartum depression. It is therefore prudent to say that in order to meet both the mother’s and the child’s need for omega-3 fatty acids, all pregnant women shou