Are you pregnant: Omega-3 essential for baby's brain?

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Le Hong Lien - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Previous studies have suggested that increasing the amount of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet may have some health benefits. And babies whose diets are high in essential fats have good growth. This is similar to the results of recent studies conducted in infants born to mothers with diets high in essential fatty acids.
Researchers have shown that infants born to mothers with high blood levels of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have high attention spans that persist into the second year of life. . During the first six months of life, these babies will have two months more attention than babies whose mothers have low blood DHA levels.
Attention is considered an important, but not the only, component of intelligence from the first months of life. DHA plays an important role in brain development. Because, it is accumulated in large amounts in the first two years of life. Compared to the rest of the body, the brain and nerves contain very high levels of DHA, but its exact role in the brain is not fully known.

DHA is found naturally in breast milk and is available in infant formulas as well as some baby foods.
In a study involving about 70 mothers and babies, babies aged 4, 6 and 8 months were tested for learning ability and vision. The results of the study made it possible for scientists to view images and record their reactions. Babies born to mothers with high concentrations scored higher on an attention test lasting up to 6 months of age, and these babies also scored higher on different tests designed to measure learning ability in children older than 1 year and 18 months.
Moreover, dha supplements for pregnant women can also help reduce cold symptoms in babies. A new study shows that women who supplemented with DHA during pregnancy were born with fewer colds at 1 month of age. Babies also have fewer coughs and fevers during the first six months of life.

The researchers compared the effects of 400 mg of DHA per day (via algae-based supplementation) or a placebo on the health of infants, starting in 851 Mexican women who became pregnant at 18 weeks to 22 of pregnancy and continue to give birth.

The results showed that infants whose mothers took DHA supplements had fewer colds at the age of 1 month and the duration of cold symptoms was shorter at 1, 3 and 6 months of age.
Overall, infants in the group of mothers supplemented with DHA were shown to be healthier than those in the group of mothers not supplemented with DHA. This difference was determined on the basis of the results of observing children with colds, few of these children had a cold after 1 month, and in the case of children having a cold after 3 months, the duration of symptoms was also low. healing will be shorter. What's more, the researchers say that the intake of DHA supplements examined in the study of 400 mg per day can be achieved through the diet by eating foods rich in these types of omega-3 fatty acids, such as fatty fish and omega-3 fortified eggs.

Supplementing DHA for pregnant women in what month to not only ensure the health of the mother as well as the development of the baby.
Pregnant women are advised by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to eat up to 340 grams (two average meals) per week of low-mercury fish and shellfish, such as shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollock and catfish.
Compared to tuna, salmon has very little mercury, but concerns have been raised about unsafe levels of toxic chemicals and polychlorinated byphenols (PCBs) in farmed salmon. Because, PCBs are the cause of cancer and birth defects.

However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also advises pregnant women to limit albacore tuna intake to 170 grams per week because it has more mercury than canned tuna. The FDA also advises pregnant women to avoid eating shark, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish because these fish contain high levels of mercury.
Some nutritionists recommend that pregnant women get DHA through algae-based supplements.

A recent study has shown that prenatal fish oil supplements do not make babies smarter. This finding comes from the results of a seven-year trial that compared pregnant women who took supplements containing DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) with placebo during the second half of their pregnancy. The results showed that children's intelligence or IQ was not affected by fish oil. Furthermore, the study also found no difference in children's language, learning ability or "executive function".
To protect the health of pregnant women and fetuses during pregnancy, you should visit and check nutrition regularly to understand clearly what groups of substances you and your baby are lacking, from which suitable adjustment.
At Vinmec International General Hospital, there is a package maternity service as a solution to help pregnant women feel secure because of the companionship of the medical team throughout the pregnancy. When choosing Maternity Package, pregnant women can:
The pregnancy process is monitored by a team of highly qualified doctors Regular check-ups and consultations, early detection of abnormalities Full pregnancy package to help facilitate the delivery process Newborns receive comprehensive care. Specialist I Le Hong Lien has been an obstetrician-gynecologist at Vinmec Central Park International Hospital since November 2016. Doctor Lien has over 10 years of experience as a radiologist in the Department of Ultrasound at the leading hospital in the field of obstetrics and gynecology in the South - Tu Du Hospital.

Reference source: webmd.com