Omega-3 fatty acids are found in many vegetable oils (rapeseed, linseed), oily fish (herring, mackerel) and nuts (walnuts, pistachios). During pregnancy, they are essential to the health of both the pregnant woman and the fetus, in a number of areas.
In order toavoid certain disorders, it is advisable to include sufficient omega-3s in a woman's diet from the moment her child is conceived. The level of DHA in breast milk depends on the mother's diet, and the breast-fed child automatically depends on this level. Conversely, a baby fed on artificial infant milk may not consume enough DHA if the milk is not supplemented.
DHA is an omega-3 that plays a key role in brain development brain development in newborn babies. The brain is composed mainly of lipids, and DHA acts as a "fuel" for brain growth. The effects of DHA continue throughout life, from childhood to adolescence and into old age, in the maintenance and growth of neurons and the plasticity of synapses. plasticity of synapses1.
A study2 published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows that omega-3 fatty acids (including DHA) reduce the risk of births before 34 weeks gestation (8? months). Consumption of DHA throughout pregnancy therefore reduces the risks associated with premature birth.
There is also a close link between a pregnant woman's mood and DHA intake. DHA could in fact be beneficial in combating prenatal stress and the risk of post-partum depression.
The stress accumulated by the mother has repercussions on the child's health and behavior. An anxious, stressed mother will produce more cortisol (stress hormone), and her baby will be more agitated.
DHA is one of the lipids found in the retina. A component of the rods and cones responsible for our vision, it plays not only a structural role, but also one of regeneration of a light-absorbing molecule. Rhodopsin, a sensitive pigment, is degraded in contact with light and needs time to be recycled, a time that DHA significantly reduces. Finally, DHA protects against Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD). It is therefore of vital importance for newborn babies to ensure they develop in the best possible conditions.
DHA plays many roles during pregnancy. It is one of the essential fatty acids that must be included in the diet. Consumption of other omega-3 fatty acids (linolenic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid) can also be beneficial, as they are precursors of DHA.
1 : Cao D., Kevala K., Kim J., Moon HS., Jun SB., Lovinger D., Kim HY., "Docosahexaenoic acid promotes hippocampal neuronal development and synaptic function", October 2009.
2 : Susan E Carlson et al, "DHA supplementation and pregnancy outcomes", April 2013
