Fish Oil and Pregnancy - Benefits

Is there a relationship between fish oil and pregnancy?

Fish oil is rich in DHA and EPA, two very potent omega 3 fatty acids which have many different positive benefits on health.

There is some evidence to suggest that pregnant women who consume fish oil may be less likely to have premature birth. More specifically, DHA also helps to protect against miscarriages and low birth weight.

In addition, fish oil has been used to lower the risk of preeclampsia, a condition defined by a combination of high blood pressure, swelling, as well as protein in the urine; it develops after the 20-week mark of pregnancy.

Further, the consumption of fish oil by pregnant mothers may be helpful to improve the brain function, prevent the onset of allergies, raise levels of hand-eye coordination, as well as prevent eczema in their children. Even their levels of happiness in future may be given a boost.

The beneficial link between fish oil and pregnancy is enhanced by the fact that the omega 3 fatty acids present in fish oil help to promote proper development of the fetus, avoiding growth issues and behavioral problems in the child later. DHA, in particular, helps support the proper development of the brain and eyes of the child.

In his book "The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth About What You Should Eat and Why", Jonny Bowden, Ph.D., C.N.S., states that the amount of omega 3 fatty acids which are consumed by a pregnant lady plays a part in determining her child's intellect, fine-motor skills, which include the ability to manipulate small objects and also hand-eye coordination, as well as susceptibility of engaging in antisocial behavior.

The benefits of fish oil and pregnancy extend to the mothers themselves, too, as fish oil reduces the risk of postpartum depression. A possible reason for such depression could be the fact that some brain mass is transferred from mother to child in the final phases of pregnancy.

Use fish oil and pregnancy could potentially be smoother - as you can see, there seems to be quite a bit of indication of this possibility.

One thing to note - with specific regard to cod liver oil, because it contains very high amounts of vitamin A and vitamin D, over-consumption could lead to toxicity levels of these vitamins, and pregnant ladies should exercise extreme caution. It would be a good idea to consult with a suitable natural health care practitioner in using cod liver oil, or best to avoid it altogether.

Nursing

The benefits go beyond the pregnancy stage, with women being able to help their children's intellect, health and happiness by consuming fish oil or omega 3 fatty acids while nursing. Some doctors recommend the use of such supplements while breast-feeding; again, it would probably be a good idea to check with a qualified natural health care practitioner regarding this.

Infancy

And the need for omega 3 fatty acids stretches into infancy, too. There is some evidence that DHA is critical for the proper development of vision and the nervous system in infants. For infants who were born prematurely, research has found that DHA helped to improve their brain function.

DHA's benefits on brain and nervous system health even stretch into young adulthood, with research showing that those who took DHA were less likely to become aggressive when placed under mental stress.

Conclusion

The beneficial link between fish oil and pregnancy is down to the potent omega 3 fatty acids found in fish, and these nutrients should indeed form part of the diet of any health-conscious person.