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Essential Fatty Acids Are Important During Pregnancy By Rich Fuller    |
During pregnancy it is vital to increase your intake of efa (essential fatty acids). Essential fatty acids are vital for the proper development of the fetus as well as the physical and mental wellbeing of the mother. As a result it is important for expectant mothers to supplement their diet with EFAs. This essential fatty acid supplement should include both omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids for best results. Firstly, omega 3, and in particular DHA and EPA are essential for proper development of the brain in an unborn child as well as mental wellbeing and development after birth. The brain is composed of about 60% fat; this fat is taken from these essential fatty acids. Studies have also shown that children with higher levels of efa's have higher IQ's than those with lower levels and are more likely to experience learning difficulties. By supplementing your diet with essential fatty acids you are therefore ensuring that your baby is not disadvantaged mentally.

DHA also plays a part in the development of the retina and omega 3 essential fatty acid deficiency leads to visual problems. If you want your baby to have good eyesight then you should ensure that you get enough essential fatty acids.

Artemis P Simopoulos, MD and Jo Robinson say in their book, 'The Omega Diet', "Omega 3 fatty acids are essential for the normal development of the unborn baby's brain, especially during the final three months of gestation when the size of its brain increases threefold. If the mother fails to get enough of these nutrients in her diet, the fetus will pirate what she has stored in her tissues - including her brain. Lab tests show that new mothers have half the normal blood levels of omega 3 fatty acids. Women who breast-feed their babies have even lower levels of DHA because they are continuing to supply the baby's needs for omega-3 fatty acids. If a woman does not replenish her store of these essential elements following the birth of a child, she will have lower and lower levels with each additional child. Some people suggest this is why firstborn children score higher on intelligence tests. Until now, people have attributed the well-documented mental superiority of firstborn children to the fact they spend more one-on-one time with a parent. It is now being suggested that their greater cognitive abilities may also be due to a more generous supply of maternal DHA."

Pregnant mothers should therefore increase their intake of foods rich in omega 3 essential fatty acids, and in particular EPA and DHA, such as are found in fatty fish and fish oil supplements, walnuts, flax seeds, omega 3 eggs, and dark green, leafy vegetables. Besides increasing her intake of these foods the pregnant mother would do well to take a fish oil supplement to further increase the amount of DHA and EPA that is available both to her and to the fetus.

EFA (essential fatty acids) are essential to the proper development of the fetus and in particular the development of the fetal brain and retina. The fetus will draw its supply of DHA and other omega 3 fatty acids from its mother and so the mother's supply will decrease if she does not replenish it by eating foods high in omega 3 fatty acids as well as taking fish oil supplements. If you want to give your child the best chance at life then be sure to increase your intake of omega 3 essential fatty acids for optimal development of your baby's brain and vision.

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