1<\/a>).<\/p>\nEmerging evidence about DHA and pregnancy<\/h2>\n
Recent research indicates that the benefits of DHA during pregnancy may not be limited to brains and eyeballs. Two areas of emerging evidence suggest that DHA may also influence a child’s future body composition and their risk for allergies.<\/p>\n
DHA and childhood obesity<\/h2>\n
Children with a high BMI may be at an increased risk for developing metabolic problems such as blood sugar imbalances or fatty liver disease.\u00a0 Observational studies suggest that high levels of DHA during pregnancy and breastfeeding are correlated with lower child adiposity, lower BMI, and greater lean muscle mass. An interventional study examining how DHA during pregnancy affects body composition found that women who took 800 mg DHA per day during pregnancy and breast fed, had children with significantly less adiposity at four years old, compared to women who didn’t breastfeed or take DHA.<\/p>\n
DHA and allergies<\/h2>\n
Consuming extra DHA during pregnancy may lower children’s risk of developing certain immune problems. Recently, a large, well-controlled clinical trial studied children born to mothers who took 800 mg DHA during pregnancy, and whose parents had a history of these type of dysfunctions. There were two types of data: reports of the child’s symptoms by the parents, and reactions to allergens in a pediatric skin-prick test.<\/p>\n
By six years of age, the study investigators found that parents of children in the DHA group were no more likely to report symptoms in their children than parents of children in the control group (i.e., parents who had a history of immune problems but didn’t take extra DHA during pregnancy). However, in the skin-prick test, the children in the DHA group had significantly less sensitization to dust mites compared to the control group (34% reduction).<\/p>\n
While the current<\/i> state of research on DHA’s role in improving obesity and allergy risk is still under investigation, these findings represent promising avenues of future<\/i> research into how supplementation with DHA may help mitigate these increasing risks in children.<\/p>\nDHA in the last trimester<\/h2>\n
A developing baby accumulates DHA throughout the pregnancy, but especially during the last trimester. From week 35 to week 40, on average, a foetus gains 45% more weight. Over the same period, DHA accumulates as much as 840%! From week 35 to week 40, DHA is estimated to accumulate by 450% in skeletal muscle, 570% in the brain, 680% in the liver, 840% in adipose tissue.<\/p>\n
As the foetus ramps up DHA absorption, that same DHA is lost from the mother.\u00a0 If the mother already has low DHA status, then this last-minute demand can put her at risk of DHA deficiency. Low maternal DHA upon birth has been associated with an increased risk of postpartum mood disturbances.\u00a0This may be problematic for mothers who intend to breastfeed, since DHA deficiency will be reflected in their milk and may lead to DHA deficiency in their infant. It’s difficult to say how much DHA storage an infant is born with (based on animal studies, maybe 1-2 months; however, DHA deficiency has been correlated to lower language skills in 18 month olds.<\/p>\n
The good news is that mothers who consume more DHA in just the last few weeks of pregnancy give birth to babies with significantly higher DHA levels. This means that it’s never too late to increase your DHA intake!<\/p>\n
DHA and implications for premature birth<\/h2>\n
Given the importance of the last trimester for foetal DHA accumulation, you may be wondering what this means for infants born prior to normal term. Although such a birth means that your infant misses out on some of that last-minute DHA boost, providing DHA through breast milk or DHA-supplemented formula can make up for it. Multiple clinical trials have shown that preterm infants, including those born before 28 weeks, benefit significantly from DHA supplementation in terms of shorter hospital stays, lower chance of developmental delay, improved body composition, and improved visual development.<\/p>\n
How do I get DHA into my diet?<\/h2>\n
A mother’s diet has a significant impact on how much DHA her foetus can accumulate and how much DHA her baby has at birth. Pregnant women who eat fish, or who take fish or algae oil supplements, give birth to infants with significantly higher DHA levels, compared to infants born to mothers who don’t consume preformed DHA sources. Further, these higher DHA levels at birth are sustained in the infant throughout the first few months of life, as opposed to the decline in infant DHA status that typically occurs.\u00a0Taking DHA supplements or regularly eating fatty fish during pregnancy significantly increases DHA in the newborn and in breastmilk.<\/p>\n
Safety of DHA during Pregnancy<\/h2>\n
Of course, the primary concern with increasing DHA intake is whether there is a safety risk to your unborn baby, or to you. The quick answer is: DHA supplementation during pregnancy is very safe.<\/i><\/p>\n
Now that you know why<\/i> DHA is important during pregnancy, you know what to do: Eat fish. Take a supplement. Spread the word to random pregnant women on the street. It’ll be brilliant! Just like you.<\/p>\n
\u00a0by\u00a0Sharon Matheny, MSNS, PhD<\/em><\/p>\nSharon Matheny, MSNS, PhD<\/b> is Manager of Nutrition Science Communications for Nordic Naturals. She holds a doctorate in Cell and Molecular Biology, with specializations in cancer cell signaling and molecular neuroscience. After a career in biotechnology developing molecular diagnostics, she has found her calling in bringing evidence-based nutrition and health science information to the general public and health professionals.<\/b>[\/vc_column_text][vc_empty_space][vc_text_separator title=”We think you may like these”][vc_empty_space]\r\n
\r\n
\r\n- \r\n
\r\n
\n
\n
Did you know that plant-based diets may not supply adequate amounts of DHA? There is nothing fishy here, just a sustainable, vegan source of the omega-3 fatty acids!<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n\n \n\t$<\/span>77.90<\/bdi><\/span> —<\/span> or subscribe and save <\/small> 15%<\/span><\/small>!<\/span><\/span>\n<\/span><\/li>\r\n- \r\n
\r\n
\n
\n
#1 Baby’s Omega-3. This trusted source of omega-3 DHA to support a baby’s brain, eye and nervous system development is safe, pure & effective.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n\n \n\t$<\/span>36.90<\/bdi><\/span> —<\/span> or subscribe and save <\/small> 15%<\/span><\/small>!<\/span><\/span>\n\n\n
Rated 4.50<\/strong> out of 5<\/span><\/div> 2 reviews <\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/li>\r\n- \r\n
\r\n
\n
\n
Made with love for mum & bubs! Support healthy lactation and optimal nutrient composition of breast milk with Gaia Lactation Support.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n\n \n\t$<\/span>52.90<\/bdi><\/span> —<\/span> or subscribe and save <\/small> 15%<\/span><\/small>!<\/span><\/span>\n<\/span><\/li>\r\n- \r\n
\r\n
\n
\n
Superb postnatal support. Omega-3 formula for new mums to support optimal wellness after giving birth!<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n\n \n\t$<\/span>77.90<\/bdi><\/span> —<\/span> or subscribe and save <\/small> 15%<\/span><\/small>!<\/span><\/span>\n<\/span><\/li>\r\n- \r\n
\r\n
\n
\n
Prenatal essential nutrients for Mum & Bubs. High strength DHA to support a healthy prenatal regimen, foetal development during pregnancy and breastfeeding.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n\n \n\t$<\/span>62.90<\/bdi><\/span> – $<\/span>98.90<\/bdi><\/span> —<\/span> or subscribe and save <\/small> 15%<\/span><\/small>!<\/span><\/span>\n<\/span><\/li>\r\n- \r\n
\r\n
\n
\n
Be on your way to a healthy gut with this Microbiologist formulated, 100% spore-based, broad-spectrum probiotic and antioxidant!<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n\n \n\t$<\/span>59.99<\/bdi><\/span> —<\/span> or subscribe and save <\/small> 15%<\/span><\/small>!<\/span><\/span>\n\n\n
Rated 4.93<\/strong> out of 5<\/span><\/div> 15 reviews <\/span>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/span><\/li>\r\n- \r\n
\r\n
\n
\n
Get your DHA direct from the source with this plant-based DHA to support a healthy pregnancy, foetal development, and breastfeeding! <\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div> \n\n \n\t$<\/span>77.90<\/bdi><\/span> —<\/span> or subscribe and save <\/small> 15%<\/span><\/small>!<\/span><\/span>\n<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div> \r\n\r\n<\/div>[vc_raw_html]JTNDZGl2JTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJzaG9wTm93Q29udGFpbmVyJTIyJTNFJTNDYSUyMGhyZWYlM0QlMjJodHRwcyUzQSUyRiUyRnRoZXJhc3RvcmUuY28ubnolMkZoZWFsdGgtY2F0ZWdvcnklMkZ3b21lbnMtaGVhbHRoJTJGcHJlZ25hbmN5LWJyZWFzdGZlZWRpbmctc3VwcG9ydCUyRiUyMiUzRSUzQ2lucHV0JTIwY2xhc3MlM0QlMjJzaG9wTm93QnV0dG9uJTIyJTIwdHlwZSUzRCUyMmJ1dHRvbiUyMiUyMHZhbHVlJTNEJTIyc2hvcCUyMGFsbCUyMiUyMCUyRiUzRSUzQyUyRmElM0UlM0MlMkZkaXYlM0U=[\/vc_raw_html][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"You have probably heard that taking DHA during pregnancy can support your baby\u2019s brain development. But you may be thinking, \u201cMy mother never took\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":28695,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1265,1262],"tags":[1768],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nz.therastore.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28931"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nz.therastore.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nz.therastore.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nz.therastore.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nz.therastore.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28931"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/nz.therastore.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28931\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nz.therastore.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28695"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nz.therastore.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28931"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nz.therastore.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28931"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nz.therastore.co\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28931"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}