DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), a component of fish oil, plays an important role in the development of the brain, central nervous system and visual system. For this reason, DHA is critically important to a healthy fetus. Cod liver oil is a source of DHA that has been used in studies and has been shown to improve visual acuity and intelligence and to decrease preterm births, incidence of type 1 diabetes and prevalence of food allergies in the first year of life. The fetus has limited capacity to make DHA from alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and so is at a high risk of developing a DHA deficiency if the supply from the mother is inadequate. Pregnant women in the US and Canada consume significantly less DHA than the 300 mg/day recommended by the NIH.
To ensure a healthy brain and eyes, fish oil supplements are essential during pregnancy. Cod liver oil is not the preferred to way to get DHA because it generally contains significant amounts of vitamin A and D and can easily cause vitamin A toxicity when using enough to provide sufficient doses of the omega 3 fatty acids. Fish oil supplements are preferred because they contain no vitamin A but still provide the necessary EPA and DHA. Advance Health has a variety of supplements available that provide sufficient DHA for a healthy mom and baby. Nordic Naturals makes ProDHA and ProDHA 1000 which are great supplements that contain more DHA than EPA, though both are present. We also stock the Prenatal Packs by Douglas Labs that are cellophane packets that contain 2 prenatal multivitamins, 1 calcium tablet and 2 high DHA fish oil caplets in each daily packet. Pure Encapsulations also makes an EPA/DHA vegetarian capsule that is higher DHA. Every pregnant woman needs DHA supplements to ensure a healthy baby and we can serve them best by educating them about this important supplement.
In good health,
Lucinda Harms, RPh
