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.
