quick clicks

recipes today articles

recipes today q&a

message boards

research baby names

prepare a birth plan

content channels

ip channel rss feeds

read birth stories

read parenting stories

recommended books

e-newsletters

safety recalls

ip diaries

ip store

mom of the month

dad of the month

editor's letter

letters to the editor

Awesome Omegas

The Importance of DHA for Mom and Baby

By Donna Smith

"All women should have a balanced intake of omega-3 and omega-6 fats for proper health and avoidance of chronic disease prevalent in the Western World," says Dr. Salem.

According to the American Dietetic Association, eating polyunsaturated fats in place of saturated fats – found in animal products, butter and tropical oils – decreases cholesterol (bad cholesterol) levels. Research has found that diets high in omega-3 fatty acids can help prevent conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis pain. And research also has found that people who eat diets low in omega-3 and high in omega-6 have a higher rate of heart disease. Finding the right balance is the key.

"These fats (omega-3) compete with the omega-6 type of fats," says Dr. Salem. "We are overdosing on these fats, from corn oil, safflower oil, etc. Even though these (omega-6) are also essential, we must reduce their intake in concert with increasing omega-3 fats."

Low levels of DHA have been associated with memory loss, depression and vision problems.

"Fish is the primary source of dietary DHA," says Dr. Salem. "Marine phytoplankton are the key originators of the omega-3 fatty acids in the food chain." Dr. Salem says that in the United States, poultry is a secondary source of DHA because we feed poultry a diet containing menhaden oil (fish meal protein).

Mark A. Baugh, a doctor of pharmacy currently working as a pharmacist-in-charge in San Francisco, Calif., says fish oils are the richest natural source of DHA. This includes cod liver oil, herring oil, menhaden oil, sardine oil and whale oil.

Want to see more?

• Supplements During Pregnancy: Are They Really Needed?
• Aspartame During Pregnancy Quiz
• Two of Everything, Please – Debunking the Myth of Eating for Two
• Is Seafood Safe During Pregnancy?
• Talk about it!

Post As:
Enter your comment below:
Title
Comment Text
CAPTCHA
Please note that any comments submitted become the property of Disney Family / iParenting and can be edited and posted at our discrection.