Being pregnant is exciting and wonderful. There are however, very valid concerns regarding the taking of medications, vitamins and supplements, and even some foods.
If you are like a lot of people, you don't necessarily think about essential fatty acids, whether they are Omega 3 or Omega 6.
New studies are coming out and are out that identify Omega 3's and its components like DHA- docoahexaenoic acid, EPA-eicosapentoic acid, and ALA-alpha-linolenic acid.
There is also Linoleic acid usually called Omega 6 and is found in oils such as corn, safflower, cottonseed and sunflower.
The benefits of Omega 3's have been widely studied and discussed. The use of Omega 3 during pregnancy is of course between you and your doctor but it has been described as very beneficial both to the mother and to the unborn child.
In general Omega 3's helps to support brain health and functioning, improving the synaptic connections between hemispheres. Retinal health is supported by improving the central vision thus helping with Macular Degeneration.
What this means for pregnant women is that using Omega 3's can help them during their pregnancies and the development of their child (ren). They help to develop nervous systems and form the retina. This can reduce the risk of problems for the baby.
For the mother, the use of Omega 3 fatty acids reduces the risk of preeclampsia a condition that develops later in pregnancy and causes abnormal weight gain, water retention, and high blood pressure. It also reduces the occurrence of postpartum depression and the chances of pre-term labor. The improved health of the mother can be passed on to the child.
Future benefits include increased attention spans of the children, better vision, and advanced over-all development. When compared to kids whose mothers did not take Omega 3's, these children are often advanced by at least three months or more, in development.
Since brain function is improved and brain development is supported, it would follow that a child's learning would be improved. With improved learning comes advancing development. A baby whose mother took Omega 3's (under her doctor's supervision) has a chance at having less health problems and greater academic success.
As a child develops s/he can be given Omega 3 supplements to improve their health as well. Conditions such as colds, the Flu, Arthritis, and Eczema are also treated with Omega 3. It has been reported that it can treat such problems as ADHD and improve the child's over-all behavior.
If you are concerned about the possibility that your fish oil supplements might have contaminants, read the label and be sure the Omega 3 fatty acids have gone through the process of Molecular Distillation. This is a purifying process that removes toxins from the fish oil creating a pure supplement and one that is safer and has greater potency. If you are still concerned look for supplements made specifically for pregnant women.
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