Melbourne Naturopath – Essential Fatty Acids in Pregnancy
If you have ever browsed the shelves of your local supermarket or Pharmacy, you will have seen bottles of omega-3 capsules, typically recommended for maintaining a healthy heart and for reducing inflammation in conditions such as arthritis. Did you know that these essential fatty acids are also vital for a healthy pregnancy and for the health of your baby? Omega-3: Vital for Baby’s Brain Development Essential fatty acids act as building blocks for your baby’s brain and eye development, and an omega-3 deficiency during pregnancy can have permanent effects on your child’s cognitive function. Scientific studies found that children whose mothers did not get enough omega-3 during pregnancy were more likely to score lower on tests of IQ, verbal intelligence, memory, fine motor skills, behaviour, social skills, and communication skills,1 compared with those whose mothers did get enough omega-3. DHA Makes Smarter Babies Your baby’s brain and eye development during pregnancy depend on docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), one of the essential omega-3 fatty acids. As we cannot make DHA ourselves, babies rely on their mother’s dietary intake to get what they need. Studies have linked high-DHA supplements taken in pregnancy with greater memory and problem-solving ability in babies at nine months of age,2 improved attention in toddlers,3 and...