Helps in Early Life and Pregnancy
Omega-3 is integral to the development and early growth of children. Therefore, it’s imperative to have enough of these fatty acids during and after pregnancy, especially when breastfeeding. Most of the nutrition that the baby gets in these early stages comes from the vitamins and food you consume, and the adequate intake of omega-3s is vital, as they’re the crucial building blocks in developing the fetal retina and brain. Furthermore, fetal neurodevelopment depends on these essential nutrients.
Additionally, omega-3 may also have an integral role to play in determining gestation length and in avoiding perinatal depression. It might also help enhance the infant’s visual growth and minimize the risk of developing specific allergies. While research suggests that consuming high fish oil foods and supplements during gestation can improve the fetal brain’s development, it remains unclear whether or not IQ and learning will be enhanced.
Fish oil is generally considered safe to take during pregnancy, whether in food or supplement form. However, it’s a general rule to check if anything else has been added to the chosen supplement to stay safe. For example, fish oil supplements made using the fish’s liver may not be safe to ingest.
