From the Guidelines
Pregnant women should consider taking a daily fish oil supplement containing at least 300 mg of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) to support fetal brain and eye development, as recommended by the most recent study 1. The primary benefit of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy is supporting fetal neural development, as DHA is a critical building block for brain and eye tissues. Some key benefits of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation during pregnancy include:
- Supporting fetal brain and eye development
- Reducing the risk of poor neural development in infants
- Improving mental processing scores and stereopsis in children
- Enhancing psychomotor development, hand-eye coordination, and visual acuity in infants While eating fatty fish like salmon can provide these nutrients naturally, supplements offer a mercury-free alternative, which is particularly important for pregnant women who need to avoid high-mercury fish 1. It is essential to note that the recommended daily dose of DHA for pregnant and nursing women is at least 300 mg, as suggested by the most recent study 1. Always check with your healthcare provider before starting any supplement during pregnancy to ensure the best possible outcome for both mother and baby.
From the Research
Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation During Pregnancy
- The supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), has been associated with several benefits for both the mother and the fetus 2, 3, 4.
- These benefits include:
- Improved neurological development of the fetus and infant, with enhancements in language, memory, attention, and hand coordination 2.
- Reduction in the risk of preterm birth and preeclampsia in low-risk pregnancies 2, 3.
- Improved visual acuity in infants 2.
- Reduction of postpartum depression symptoms in mothers 2.
- Decrease in cardiovascular risk and anti-inflammatory role 2.
- The recommended intake of DHA and EPA during pregnancy is at least 200 mg/day, with some studies suggesting up to 1 g/day of DHA or 2.7 g/day of n-3 long-chain PUFA 4.
- Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids should start before 20 weeks of pregnancy to maximize benefits 2.
- Food sources of omega-3 fatty acids, such as seafood and microalgae, are also important for maintaining adequate levels of DHA and EPA during pregnancy 2, 3, 4.
- Some studies have found that prenatal DHA supplementation can increase birth weight and length of gestation, although the evidence is not consistent across all studies 5.
- Maternal fish oil or DHA plus EPA supplementation has been found to have no significant effect on postnatal growth patterns, visual acuity, or cognitive development in infants, although some studies suggest potential benefits 5.