Adequate intake of Omega-3 fats is essential to maintaining the balanced\u00a0production of the hormone-like substances called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins\u00a0help regulate many important physiological functions including blood pressure,\u00a0blood clotting<\/a>, nerve transmission, the inflammatory and allergic responses,\u00a0the functions of the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract and the production\u00a0of other hormones.<\/p>\n Depending on the type of fatty acids in the diet, certain\u00a0types of prostaglandins may be produced in large quantities, while others\u00a0may not be produced at all. This prostaglandin imbalance can lead to disease.\u00a0The role of omega-3s in producing beneficial prostaglandins may explain why they have been shown to have so many health benefits, including the prevention of heart disease, improving cognitive function and the regulation of inflammation.<\/p>\n High doses of omega-3s have been used to treat and prevent mood disorders, and new studies are identifying their potential benefits for a wide range of conditions including cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and other autoimmune diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.<\/p>\n Scientific research is constantly expanding our knowledge of nutritional needs in pregnancy. Among the most recent developments in this field is the importance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids<\/strong> in both the development of a healthy baby and in the health of the mother.<\/p>\n Omega-3s are a family of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids that are essential nutrients for health and development. Unfortunately, these are not synthesized by the human body and therefore must be obtained from diet or supplementation.<\/p>\n However, the typical American diet is greatly lacking in Omega-3’s. Research indicates that the two most beneficial omega-3s are EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). Although EPA and DHA naturally occur together and work together in the body, studies show that each fatty acid has unique benefits.<\/p>\n EPA supports the heart, immune system, and inflammatory response. DHA supports the brain, eyes, and central nervous system, which is why it is uniquely important for pregnant and lactating women.<\/p>\n Omega-3s have been found to be essential for both neurological and early\u00a0visual development of the baby. However, the standard western diet is severely\u00a0deficient in these critical nutrients<\/a>.\u00a0This omega-3 dietary deficiency is\u00a0compounded by the fact that pregnant women become depleted in omega-3s because the fetus uses omega-3s for its nervous system development.<\/p>\n Omega-3s\u00a0are also used after birth to make breast milk<\/a>. With each subsequent pregnancy,\u00a0mothers are further depleted. Research has confirmed that adding EPA and\u00a0DHA to the diet of pregnant women has a positive effect on visual and cognitive\u00a0development of the baby.\u00a0Studies have also shown that higher consumption\u00a0of omega-3s may reduce the risk of allergies in infants.<\/p>\n Omega-3 fatty acids have positive effects on the pregnancy itself. Increased\u00a0intake of EPA and DHA has been shown to prevent pre-term labor and delivery,\u00a0lower the risk of preeclampsia,<\/a> and may increase birth weight. Omega-3 deficiency also increases the mother’s risk of depression<\/a>. This may explain why postpartum\u00a0mood disorders<\/a> may become worse and begin earlier with subsequent pregnancies.<\/p>\n The best sources of EPA and DHA are cold-water fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines, anchovies, and herring. Many people are justifiably concerned about mercury and other toxins in fish, especially during pregnancy. For this reason, purified fish oil supplements are often the safest source of EPA and DHA.<\/p>\n Many people think that flaxseed or flaxseed oil contains omega-3s. But flaxseed contains the shorter-chain omega-3, ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), which is different from the longer-chain EPA and DHA. EPA and DHA are the Omega-3s that the body needs for optimal health and development. While it was once thought that the human body could convert ALA to EPA and DHA, current research shows that such conversion rarely and inefficiently occurs. Fish oil is a more reliable source of EPA and DHA.<\/p>\n Quality fish oil is safe to take during pregnancy. Fresh fish can often contain environmental toxins like mercury<\/a> that accumulate during its life span. These toxins can be virtually eliminated during the manufacture and processing of fish oil, with the use of high-quality raw materials and an advanced refining process.<\/p>\n Some brands of fish oil are of higher quality than others. A reputable fish oil manufacturer should be able to provide documentation of third-party lab results that show the purity levels of their fish oil, down to the particles per trillion level.<\/p>\n Infants (1-18 months): <\/strong><\/p>\n Children (1.5-15 yrs): <\/strong><\/p>\n Adults (15-115 yrs): <\/strong><\/p>\n Pregnant and Lactating Women: <\/strong><\/p>\n Compiled using information from the following sources:<\/p>\n 1. Measurement of organochlorines in commercial over-the-counter fish oil preparations: implications for dietary and therapeutic recommendations for omega-3 fatty acids and a review of the literature. Melanson SF, et al. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2005;129:74-77.<\/p>\n 2. Measurement of mercury levels in concentrated over-the-counter fish oil preparations: is fish oil healthier than fish? Foran SE, et al. Arch Pathol Lab Med 2003;127:1603-1605.<\/p>\n 3. International Society of the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids (ISSFAL)<\/p>\n www.issfal.org<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Why is Omega-3 Fish Oil Important During Pregnancy? Adequate intake of Omega-3 fats is essential to maintaining the balanced\u00a0production of the hormone-like substances called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins\u00a0help regulate many important physiological functions including blood pressure,\u00a0blood clotting, nerve transmission, the inflammatory and allergic responses,\u00a0the functions of the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract and the production\u00a0of other hormones. Depending […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":8622,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7383,7581,8594],"tags":[],"faq-categories":[8401],"class_list":["post-986","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pregnancy","category-pregnancy-health-and-nutrition","category-health-and-wellness","faq-categories-no-faq"],"yoast_head":"\nOmega-3 Fish Oil Benefits & Dosage<\/h3>\n
The Benefits of Omega-3 Fish Oil<\/h3>\n
Which Foods Contain\u00a0Omega-3 Fish Oil?<\/h3>\n
Safety Considerations<\/h3>\n
Fish Oil Recommendations<\/h3>\n
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Dosage Recommendations<\/h3>\n
ISSFAL (the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids) has established the following recommended minimum dosage<\/i> chart:<\/h5>\n
0-15 lbs: 32 mg\/lb EPA+DHA<\/pre>\n
15 mg\/lb EPA+DHA\r\n<\/pre>\n
500 mg EPA+DHA (with a minimum of 220 mg EPA and 220 mg DHA)\r\n<\/pre>\n
300 mg DHA daily<\/pre>\n
Want to Know More?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
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