The Omega Difference
It’s no mystery that you should be taking pre-natal
vitamins during your pregnancy. It’s also pretty well known
that fatty acids are an incredible addition to your diet,
pregnant or not. However, did you know that the source of those
fatty acids may actually have an impact on your beautiful
baby?
The Archives of Disease in Childhood, or the ADC, published a
study that was done to determine any differences between children
born to moms who used fatty acids from fish oils and those who
obtained fatty acids through olive oils. Starting at the
20th week in pregnancy, one group began taking 4 grams
of fatty acids through olive oil supplements; the other group got
theirs from the fish oil supplements. The result was amazing.
98 moms to be were split into the two respective groups. Once
the children all reached the age of 2 ½ they were
administered a variety of tests. These tests ranged from
measuring growth to overall development. The toddlers whose moms
received a daily intake of fatty acids from fish oils vastly
outperformed the other toddlers when it came to eye and hand
coordination. Other factors such as breastfeeding were carefully
considered, and they concluded the better coordination was
strictly from the fatty acids.
The toddler’s tests were further validated by examining
cord blood that was gathered at birth. Not surprisingly, those
who scored significantly higher with eye and hand coordination
were those with a high level of fatty acids from fish oil in the
cord blood.
You should note that there were no apparent differences in
language or growth. The eye and hand coordination was the only
major difference.
The study only further shows how important fatty acids from
fish oils are in pregnancy. The latter part of pregnancy, after
20 weeks, should include a daily intake of fish oils. These
particular fatty acids are actually called Omega3. You have more
than likely heard about the benefits of Omega3 fatty acids.
Salmon is by far the best source of Omega3 that contains the
DHA and EPA that you need. While it is not recommended to eat
fish everyday due to mercury accumulation and the effects of that
on your baby, you can still take a supplement that will provide
the same benefits. If you are going to include occasional fish in
your diet you should consider salmon, sardines, halibut, and
tongol tuna because they naturally have a higher concentration of
the Omega3 you want.
Despite the publicity and promotion of Omega3 lately, many
women are still not getting as much as they should. This is
unfortunate because there are many benefits to not only the baby
and future development, but also to the mother. If you include
the suggested 900 mgs of Omega3 in your daily diet you can reduce
the risk of post partum depression, lower your risk of
pre-eclampsia, have a less chance of a bout with breast cancer,
and reduce the likelihood of pre-term labor or c-section, and
more!