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 20^th 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!