Prenatal Vitamins

What is DHA?

The importance of DHA during pregnancy

DHA, or Docosahexaenoic acid, is the most abundant omega 3 fatty acid in the brain and retina, is is considered to be a major building block of human brain tissue. It has been shown to protect against dementia, depression, inflammatory disease, ADD/ADHD,  allergies, and it also improves cardiovascular health. A diet rich in DHA during pregnancy plays an important role for both mother and baby. Research proves that mothers are at a lower risk of post partum depression, mood change and they recover more quickly after pregnancy. The presence of DHA in a prenatal vitamin will a positive effect on a childs sensory, cognitive, and motor development.

DHA is especially important for pregnant and lactating women and children. DHA has been shown to:

• Improves your child’s intelligence
• Aid in  depression
• Improve ADHD/ADD
• Improve memory
• Crucial for brain and eye development
• Prevents cardiovascular disease
• Lowers bad cholesterol
• Prevents arthritis
• Improves appearance of skin and prevents wrinkles

Infants cannot  produce their own DHA and must obtain it through the placenta during pregnancy and from breast milk after birth. Your baby’s brain grows more rapidly while in the womb than in any other stage of their development. After birth, your baby’s brain will triple in size by their first birthday.  Researchers found that “infants born to mothers with higher blood levels of DHA at delivery had advanced levels of attention spans well into their second year of life. During the first six months of life, these infants were two months ahead of those babies whose mothers had lower DHA levels.” It is a no-brainer that this brain-building nutrient should be included in every prenatal vitamin. If you are allergic to fish or shellfish you can find DHA supplements that are derived from algae that are safe to take.

What are the best food sources of DHA?

Fish are considered to be one  the best food sources of DHA. As you may know, women are highly discouraged from eating fish while pregnant because of high levels of mercury. Studies reveal that higher levels of mercury were found in mothers who eat fish and  have been directly linked to birth defects, seizures , mental retardation, developmental disabilities, and cerebral palsy. We now know that fetuses are much more sensitive to mercury exposure than adults are.

It is important that you choose a DHA supplement that has been molecularly distilled to get rid of toxins like mercury, and PCB’s. If you prefer plant based over fish, there is DHA that is derived from algae, which is actually where fish get their DHA from. DHA is also found in Omega 3 fortified eggs, walnuts and flaxseed but  the body has to be able to convert these  sources from alpha-linolenic Acid (ALA) to DHA.

How much DHA should I take while pregnant?

The recommended amount of DHA is approximatley 175mg. After you have finished breastfeeding, doctors suggest you add 50 to 100mg of DHA to your child’s food or beverage to ensure that they to not have a DHA deficiency during their crucial years of brain development.