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Sumber: http://lifestyle.ezinemark.com/benefits-of-omega-3-and-folic-acid-in-pregnancy-nutrition-171f6cae327.html#ixzz19SpyWaSQ dan http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art30164.asp
Omega-3 is a type of polyunsaturated fat that is important for the health of both you and your baby. Omega-3 is found in high concentrations in the brain, so it is vital for optimum brain development. This nutrient also helps with the formation of your unborn baby's retinas and nervous system.
If you don't get enough omega-3 in your diet, your fetus will take what he needs from your own stores and leave your body deficient.
Nutrition During Pregnancy Must Include Fish Oil
The DHA and EPA found in omega 3 fish plays such a vital role in a pregnant woman's health and her baby's development that many scientists recommend at least 900 mgs of fish oil a day during pregnancy. That's equivalent to a daily serving of salmon.
If you don't get enough omega-3 in your diet, your fetus will take what he needs from your own stores and leave your body deficient.
This can increase your risk of preterm labor, cesarean birth and postpartum depression.Studies suggest that babies who are exposed to plenty of omega-3 in the womb have greater attention spans and higher visual acuity than infants who were not exposed to this nutrient. Over the long-term, adequate levels of omega-3 reduces the likelihood of developmental and behavioral problems in children later in life.
Omega-3 fatty acids are especially important during the third trimester when your baby is developing most of her brain system. Most experts recommend pregnant mothers get 250 mg of omega-3 in their diets each day.
Omega-3 fatty acids are especially important during the third trimester when your baby is developing most of her brain system. Most experts recommend pregnant mothers get 250 mg of omega-3 in their diets each day.
Omega 3 fish oil and pregnancy DHA are a perfect fit – for both baby and mom.
Studies show that, for the development of a smart, healthy baby, good nutrition during pregnancy requires the omega 3 EPA and especially DHA fatty acids found in fish oil.
Yet 85% of women are deficient in these important omega 3 fatty acids. Studies show only 2% of pregnant women have diets that meet their needs for fish oil's omega 3 DHA and EPA and the other 98% average less than 18% of the daily recommendation.
Studies show that, for the development of a smart, healthy baby, good nutrition during pregnancy requires the omega 3 EPA and especially DHA fatty acids found in fish oil.
Yet 85% of women are deficient in these important omega 3 fatty acids. Studies show only 2% of pregnant women have diets that meet their needs for fish oil's omega 3 DHA and EPA and the other 98% average less than 18% of the daily recommendation.
Nutrition During Pregnancy Must Include Fish Oil
The DHA and EPA found in omega 3 fish plays such a vital role in a pregnant woman's health and her baby's development that many scientists recommend at least 900 mgs of fish oil a day during pregnancy. That's equivalent to a daily serving of salmon.
The benefits for baby are:
- A better brain with higher intelligence
- Good nervous system development
- Better eyesight from retina formation
- Fewer behavioral problems after birth
- Better sleep patterns for a new born
Health benefits for mom include:
- Less chance of developing pre-eclampsia
- Protection against brain loss during pregnancy
- Less chance of pre-term labor and cesarean
- Much lower risk of postpartum depression
- Greatly reduced incidence of breast cancer
Best Sources of Omega 3 for Baby
Here's the confusion. While DHA and EPA are omega 3 fatty acids, most omega 3 foods do NOT contain DHA and EPA. These are only found abundantly in fish oil.
Fortified foods and vegetable sources of omega 3, such as flaxseed oil, walnuts and dark green vegetables contain only ALA. And although ALA has nutritional benefits, it's not what your baby needs to get the great omega 3 results you're looking for.
Although the human body can convert about 1/2 of 1% of ALA into DHA and EPA, even this tiny amount requires ideal conditions and a complex conversion process.
To get the DHA and EPA found naturally in a 3 oz. serving of omega 3 rich salmon (the richest source), a person would have to drink gallons of flaxseed oil and eat mountains of salads, walnuts and fortified foods. And that would have very negative side effects.
Your best sources of omega 3 are salmon, tongol tuna, sardines, halibut and guaranteed mercury-free fish oil supplements. (Avoid shark, tilefish, swordfish and king mackerel.)
Here's the confusion. While DHA and EPA are omega 3 fatty acids, most omega 3 foods do NOT contain DHA and EPA. These are only found abundantly in fish oil.
Fortified foods and vegetable sources of omega 3, such as flaxseed oil, walnuts and dark green vegetables contain only ALA. And although ALA has nutritional benefits, it's not what your baby needs to get the great omega 3 results you're looking for.
Although the human body can convert about 1/2 of 1% of ALA into DHA and EPA, even this tiny amount requires ideal conditions and a complex conversion process.
To get the DHA and EPA found naturally in a 3 oz. serving of omega 3 rich salmon (the richest source), a person would have to drink gallons of flaxseed oil and eat mountains of salads, walnuts and fortified foods. And that would have very negative side effects.
Your best sources of omega 3 are salmon, tongol tuna, sardines, halibut and guaranteed mercury-free fish oil supplements. (Avoid shark, tilefish, swordfish and king mackerel.)
Be a Smart Healthy Mom and Have a Smart Healthy Baby
As you can see, for a full-term, healthy baby, with a well-developed brain and nervous system, and a happy, healthy mom, you need omega 3 DHA and EPA fatty acids.
So make sure you eat fatty fish often or supplement your pregnancy diet with natural mercury-free fish oil supplements. You and your kid will be the smartest on the block.
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.
As you can see, for a full-term, healthy baby, with a well-developed brain and nervous system, and a happy, healthy mom, you need omega 3 DHA and EPA fatty acids.
So make sure you eat fatty fish often or supplement your pregnancy diet with natural mercury-free fish oil supplements. You and your kid will be the smartest on the block.
Is it safe to take Fish Oil during pregnancy?
Quality fish oil is safe to take during pregnancy. Fresh fish (that is eaten) can often contain environmental toxins like mercury 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.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.
What should I look for when purchasing Fish oil?
- Investigate the manufacturing process--- How is the fish oil manufactured and what are the quality standards that the manufacturer is using? The quality standards that exist for fish oil-including the Norwegian Medicinal Standard, the European Pharmacopoeia Standard and the voluntary U.S. standard established by the Council for Responsible Nutrition's 2006 monograph-guarantee quality by setting maximum allowances for toxins.
- Smell--- Does the fish oil smell fishy? Research shows that fish oils only smell unpleasant when the oil has started to degrade and is becoming rancid. A high quality fish oil supplement will not smell fishy.
- Taste--- Does the fish oil taste fishy? The freshest and highest-quality fish oils should not taste fishy. Avoid fish oils that have really strong or artificial flavors added to them because they are most likely trying to hide the fishy flavor of rancid oil.
How much Fish Oil should be taken?
ISSFAL (the International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids) has established the following recommended minimum dosage chart:
Infants (1-18 months):
0-15 lbs: 32 mg/lb EPA+DHA
Children (1.5-15 yrs):
15 mg/lb EPA+DHA
Adults (15-115 yrs):
500 mg EPA+DHA
(with a minimum of 220 mg EPA and 220 mg DHA)
Pregnant and Lactating Women:
300 mg DHA daily
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