What's the best fish oil supplement to take when you are pregnant? I want my baby to be supersmart like mummy!

Question

I saw on GMTV this morning that it was beneficial to the unborn child to take supplements and also avoided the danger of mercury you can get with eating fish. I already take Pregnacare for folic acid and vitamins.

Thanks Trish - I knew someone would have to say that - lol! Any particular brand of Omega 3? Is there one designed for use during pregnancy?

I sometimes get the impression that the advice given to mothers to be in the US is a lot more cautious than that given in the uk - possibly due to the litiguous (sp?) nature of US society?

Answer 1

"DHA SUPPLEMENTS
The DHA supplement we recommend is Neuromins®, a pure form of DHA derived from seaweed. This is the exact source fish get their DHA from. Martek’s Neuromins® DHA, is an Omega-3 supplement derived from an all-natural plant source, which makes it a very pure and safe form of DHA. Neuromins® DHA has been evaluated by an independent panel of experts and found to be Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for use by adults (including pregnant and lactating women). In fact, unlike DHA from fish oil, Neuromins® DHA is considered so safe and so important for brain and eye development, it is added to infant formulas in over 60 countries but not yet in the U.S."

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/4/T040900.asp

It's very expensive, though, so your call on how badly you really want a 'recommendation' from an 'authority.'

But it doesn't have to be fish. Want to burp fish oil? Bleah. Get friendly with flax oil...

From the same page:

"The best sources of DHA are: seafood, algae, and especially coldwater fish. Omega-3 fatty acids are nature's antifreeze. In general, the colder the water, the higher the omega-3 content in the fish oil. Popular sources of DHA are: salmon, sardines, and tuna. Eggs and organ meats have a small amount of DHA in them, but the healthiest source of dietary DHA is seafood. Two 4-ounce servings of omega-3-rich fish per week should yield a sufficient amount of omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA. Besides fish oils, vegetable oils (primarily flaxseed, soy, and canola) are also rich sources of omega 3 fatty acids, with flaxseed oil being the best. The two F's, fish and flax, are the top brain-building foods for growing children, and adults."

(from the same page)

The omega-3-'enhanced' eggs are probably worth it; healthy for _you_, too.

Re. "I sometimes get the impression that the advice given to mothers to be in the US is a lot more cautious than that given in the uk..." Yes, and in Canada; news stories here recently about the DHA/IQ connexion couldn't resist pointing out 'nothing to support US warnings against fish for pregnant women...'

There is very, very little you can ask on here that will not get "See ur dr! He nos best!" as an answer at least once. I feel sorry for all these obstetricians and midwives getting "Can I fry my omega-3 eggs in flax oil? Is it safe?" I think you can also blame a lot of it on the rubbish "What to Expect When You're Expecting," too, in which oral sex and sugar are potentially lethal.

Answer 2

hope this helps

Should I eat fish at all during pregnancy?

Yes! Fish is a highly nutritious food. As mentioned, fish is an excellent source of nutrients such as Omega 3 as well as vitamins. These nutrients provide important health benefits for you and your baby.

Fish are a valuable source of protein, minerals, vitamin B12, iodine, and are low in saturated fat.

By being informed about mercury and knowing the kinds of fish to limit (see table), you can avoid any potential harm from mercury while enjoying the many health benefits of fish.



Which fish have lower levels of mercury and can safely be included in my diet?

Fish that have much lower mercury levels and are also high in Omega 3 fatty acids include:

Mackerel;
Silver Warehou;
Atlantic Salmon;
Canned Salmon & canned tuna in oil;
Herrings and
Sardines
Other fish with low mercury levels include:

All prawns, lobsters and bugs;
All squids and octopus:
Snapper;
Salmon and trout;
Trevally;
Whiting;
Herring, Anchovy;
Bream;
Mullet;
Garfish.
These fish can be eaten more frequently – two to three times per week.



Should I avoid eating fish if I am breastfeeding?

No. The benefits of breastfeeding your baby far outweighs any risk posed by the insignificant amount of mercury that might be present in breast milk.



i get a thumbs down for copying stuff from a site are you an imobsile then

Answer 3

Well, actually it doesn't necessarily avoid the problems of mercury. Cod liver oil is actually more toxic than eating fish. That's because the liver is the main detox organ of the body, so when fish are exposed to mercury, it all has to be processed by their livers!
So avoid cod liver oil.
A purified fish oil is a good option. But unless it says it's been purified, it hasn't. So be careful what you buy. Most of the main brands out there haven't been purified.
Another option for getting the beneficial omega 3 oil is to go for a flaxseed oil, or a blend of essential fats. If you go to a health store, look for something called Udo's choice. It's a very good mix of omega 3, 6 & 9.

And there is no need to consult a doctor. Would you consult a doctor before eating a piece of salmon or putting some dressing on a salad??!! As long as you take as directed, such supplements are perfectly safe for pregnancy and many pregnancy vitamins now contain essential fatty acids anyway.

Answer 4

Prenatal Pure Omega 3 Dietary Supplement
Give You and Your Baby the Necessary Amount of Omega 3

Answer 5

Keeping a well balanced diet and exercising during and after pregnancy is the best thing you can do for your baby.

Make sure your child eats 5 fruit and veg per day at least and be careful with sweets and treats, which after all should only be a treat and not an everyday thing.

Also a baby's brain is like a sponge and from the moment a baby is born they absorb information so it's very important to keep talking to your baby and encourage colour and shape activities from word go.

Answer 6

Obviously, check with your OB before you take any kind of supplement.

Under the advice of my doctor (maternal fetal medicine) I took "Expecta Lipil." I also was interested in supplementation when I had to reduce my intake of fish so dramatically because of pregnancy; my doctor said supplementation could be fine but specifically directed me to take Expecta Lipil DHA supplement (DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid). She said there would be no issue with mercury, or with anything else (such as rancidity) that can be a factor if you actually take fish oils. (My doctor has no affiliation with, or interest in, Enfamil corporation, which makes this supplement.)

Answer 7

the reason you're no longer meant to consume fish specific fish is the extreme mercury ranges yet i'm useful the strategies for generating the fish oil gets rid of the mercury or some thing. My generic practitioner is keen about means of fish oil so i've got been taking it when you consider that week 11 of my being pregnant. It makes my burps scent like sushi (I youngster you no longer), yet i've got no longer had the different edge consequences and my generic practitioner is rather extremely joyful.

Answer 8

This sites use of fish oil in a study of pregnant women. Overall, language skills and cognative skills were not increased, however, hand eye coordination was (by age 2). It also simply lists Omega 3

Here is the link: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/12/061221074610.htm

Best of luck

Answer 9

Im pregnant and my midwife has advised me not to take any vitamins other than folic acid. She said it is much much better to eat a healthy diet as most vitamins do not have the time to absorb into your body and come straight out through urine anyway - other than the super expensive sort you spray on your tongue.

Answer 10

I thought a supersmart mum would know that! Speak with your GP first to ensure it's okay to take supplements. Congratulations and enjoy your pregnancy!