Health Benefits of DHA Intake during Pregnancy

DHA is a kind of omega-3 fatty acid which stands for docosahexaenoic acid. DHA is associated with growth and development. During pregnancy, women are recommended to take 200 milligrams of DHA every day that help develop the brain and eyes of the fetus. Moreover, throughout fetal development and after birth as well as DHA help building the tissues of different organs of the body.

You never know how sufficient the DHA intake could be during pregnancy or whether you are taking the recommended amount or not. Your doctor might already add the DHA filled foods in your pregnancy meal plan, however, still, you might not be taking enough DHA. This information will help you decide whether to take DHA or not!

Childhood Obesity and DHA

Higher BMI in children increases the risk of metabolic issues such as fatty liver disease, and blood sugar imbalances before the labor. Studies show that intake of high levels of DHA during pregnancy and breastfeeding decreases the chances of high BMI in the fetus and increases lean muscle mass.

There is a notable connection between DHA and childhood obesity. Taking DHA during pregnancy affects the body composition in the women who have higher chances of having an obese baby, which is due to the blood sugar imbalances related to pregnancy and mother’s obesity.

Reduces Risk of Asthma

Researchers are still working on the co-relation between DHA and lower risk of asthma. However, it has been observed that fish oil supplements reduce the risk of asthma in children. Pregnant women are recommended to take fish oil supplements by the doctors.

DHA essential for Baby’s Brain and Retina

DHA plays are a significant role in the development of the brain and retina during pregnancy and after birth through breastfeeding. In the second trimester, the brain and eyes utilize DHA for development, which endures till the age of two.

Seafood Intake Promote Overall Well-being of Mothers

There is a significant connection between DHA intake and the mental health of mothers during pregnancy. Women are recommended to eat seafood as it reduces the risk of sadness, which could be caused by low DHA intake. In the regular meal rotation, you can have fish cooked with different recipes as you might be not ready to even smell fish.

DHA Supports Healthy Birth

In the US, 12% of babies are born between 22 to 22 weeks early, as observed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, the babies born early are kept under special treatments and hospitalizations. Women are recommended to take DHA, which supports full-time pregnancy and prevents early birth.

Prevention from Allergies

Taking DHA during pregnancy help boost the immunity of the infant. Hence, consuming DHA lessens the risk of having immunity-related problems in children since birth. It has been studied that women who take 800 mg of DHA and if parents have a history of immune issues, those children are more vulnerable to get immune problems like reactions to allergens in skin-prick tests and the symptoms by parents.