4.10.2012

DHA during Pregnancy - Why Should You Need It?

By Kitty Baker


Are you aware that docosahexaenoic acid or DHA plays a critical role during your pregnancy? As many studies show, DHA is among the most crucial nutriments needed to ensure your infant's perfect brain, nervous system and visible development. Allowing for this fact, are you all set to learn more about this very critical nutrient now for your pregnancy health? Well, I'm sure you are!

What DHA Does for Your Infant

As mentioned earlier, your baby wishes DHA for correct brain development. Research conducted in Australia made public that moms who took high dose of fish oil during the second half their pregnancy gave birth to babies with better eye-hand coordination. Another research provided undeniable evidence that youngsters born to mothers who took fish oil additions while carrying a child and breastfeeding have higher IQs in comparison to youngsters born to moms who didn't took any fish oil supplements during those vital times.

DHA also plays a part in proper visual development. According to the outcome of a research conducted at the Dept of Pediatrics at the Varsity of British Columbia, there is a direct relationship between a 2 month old baby's visual acuity and her mother's DHA intake while carrying a child.

DHA promotes higher birth weight in babies. Researchers at the Maastricht School in the Netherlands observed a positive correlation between a pregnant woman's DHA intake and the weight and head circumference of her baby when born.

How to Make Certain Your Baby Gets All the DHA She Wishes

Therefore how does one make sure you have enough DHA for you and your baby? Here's how:

-Eat greasy fish. Cold water fish like salmon, tuna, sardines, herring and anchovies contain adequate amounts of DHA so make sure you add at least eight to 12 oz. of seafood per week into your diet. You may consider shrimp, crab, catfish, cod or tilapia but avoid shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish at all cost since they might have high levels of mercury.

- Consider alternative sources of DHA. If you are not into seafood or are quite worried about its potential mercury content, it is easy to get your DHA from algae, organ meat, chickens and egg yolks.

- Consider taking supplements. Another excellent way of making sure you get sufficient DHA without the danger of mercury contamination is by taking high quality fish oil additions. Do your analysis and you'll find the best supplements in the market today.

Obviously, every pregnant lady desires DHA to maintain a good pregnancy. Ensure you do what's best for you and your baby. Start to add more DHA into your diet now!




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