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Nordic Naturals: 2016 Science of Supplements


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111 Jennings Dr.
Watsonville, CA 95076
Phone: (800) 662-2544 • Fax: (831) 724-6600
Email: info@nordicnaturals.com
Website: www.nordicnaturals.com

Omega-3 Essential Fatty Acids, Pregnancy & Fetal Development

Fetal development is associated with a high essential fatty acid (EFA) requirement, and this supply is dependent on the amount and availability of EFAs from the mother. These fats play a unique role in pregnancy because of the rapid development of new cell growth, new tissues, and new organ systems in a developing fetus. Maternal levels of omega-3 fatty acids, especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), decrease during pregnancy. EFAs are a component of breast milk and maternal levels may be reduced further in nursing women. For the fetus, EFAs, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA, are critical to the development of the central nervous system. EFAs also support full-term gestation, intrauterine growth and healthy body weight and brain growth.

Dietary Shift in EFAs

One of the important dietary changes that has shifted in the last 100 years, especially in Western societies, is that we eat more saturated fatty acids and more omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids than did previous generations. The omega-6 polyunsaturated fats are primarily sourced from soy and corn oil, ubiquitous in the American diet.

During pregnancy, maternal essential fatty acids—especially omega-3 DHA—becomes progressively depleted. Of additional concern is that DHA remains low postpartum. In lactating women, this influences the infant, and may leave mothers without sufficient omega-3 support for a normal, healthy mood.

One complicating factor for getting enough omega-3s during pregnancy is the concern about mercury content in fish. The Food and Drug Administration advises no more than 12 oz. of low-mercury fish per week, with no more than 6 oz. coming from albacore tuna, due to concerns about the potential for adverse effects on the infant. Numerous nutrition groups point out that if women focus on low-mercury fish, they should, in fact, eat a minimum of 12 oz. of fish per week in order to assure an adequate amount of essential fatty acids. Another option to get adequate omega-3s without the risk of mercury is to take a high-quality fish oil supplement that has been purified of mercury and other contaminants.

Omega-3s and Infant Development

Omega-3 DHA is arguably the most critical nutrient for the development of infants’ sensory, cognitive and motor neural systems, beginning at the onset of the last trimester through the first two years of life. During this time, the brain is undergoing rapid growth, which some call the “brain growth spurt.” Neurons are forming axons and dendritic extensions, growing membranes are dependent on their fluidity and are very DHA dependent, and synapses are being made from membrane-enriched DHA.

As the brain develops, the demand for DHA rises. All infants require dietary DHA for retinal development and normal visual function. A meta-analysis of four prospective trials evaluated visual acuity differences in healthy pre-term infants who were either supplemented or not supplemented with DHA. Intake of DHA was associated with significantly better visual acuity at ages two months and four months. This same research group found an advantage of DHA in full intake full- term infants up to four months post-birth in a separate meta-analysis.

An extensive review of the evidence for DHA and cognitive development and other neuromotor developments reveals a wide range of benefits. These include restoration of normal brain concentrations of DHA in deficient animals when supplemented with DHA, enhanced neuromotor development in infants when DHA is supplemented in formula or in women’s breast milk, and increased mental performance when DHA is taken by mothers of breast-fed babies.

Supplementation with a daily complex of essential fatty acids and fish oils during pregnancy provides vital nutrients necessary for the increased nutritional and metabolic demand throughout the nine months of gestation. Nordic Naturals encourages readers to source high-quality fish oil supplements that have been third-party tested for purity, freshness and potency.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References:

1 Hornstra G, Al MD, Van Houselingen AC, et al. Essential fatty acids in pregnancy and early human development. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 1995;61:57–62.

2 Allen K, Harris M. The role of n-3 fatty acids in gestation and parturition. Exp Biol Med 2001;226(6):498–506.

3 Olsen S, et al. Gestational age in relation to marine n-3 fatty acids in maternal erythrocytes: A study of women in the Faroe Islands and Denmark. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1991;164(5 Pt 1):1203–1209.

4 Olsen S, Sorensen J, Secher N, et al. Randomized controlled trial of effect of fish-oil supplementation on pregnancy duration. Lancet 1992;339:1003–1007.

5 Olsen S, et al. Randomized clinical trials of fish oil supplementation in high risk pregnancies. Fish oil trials in pregnancy (FOTIP) Team. BJOG 2000;107:382–395.

6 Helland I, Saugstad O, Smith L, et al. Similar effects on infants of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids supplementation in pregnant and lactating women. Pediatrics 2001;108(5):E82.

7 Olafsdottir A, Magnusardiottir A, Thorgeirsdottir H, et al. Relationship between dietary intake of cod liver oil in early pregnancy and birth weight. BJOG 2005;111:424–429.

8 Sorensen J, et al. Effects of fish oil supplementation in the third trimester of pregnancy on prostacyclin and thromboxane production. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1993;168(3 Pt 1):915–922.

9 On wude J, et al. A randomised double blind placebo controlled trial of fish oil in high risk pregnancy. Br J Obstet Gynaecol 1995;102:95–100.

10 Shao A, Yelland L, McPhee A, et al. Fish-oil supplementation in pregnancy does not reduce the risk of gestational diabetes or preeclampsia. Am J Clin Nutr 2012;95:1378-84.

11 D’Almeida A, Carter J, Anatol A, Prost C. Women and Health. 1992;19(2/3):117–131.

12 Sanders T. Essential fatty acid requirements of vegetarians in pregnancy, lactation, and infancy. Am J Clin Nutr 1999;70 (3 Supple): 555S–559S.

13 Reddy S, et al. The influence of maternal vegetarian diet on essential fatty acid status of the newborn. Eur J Clin Nutr 1994;48:358–368.

14 Hornstra G, et al. Essential fatty acids in pregnancy and early human development. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 1995;61:57–62.

15 Cott J. Omega-3 fatty acids and psychiatric disorders. Altern Ther Women’s Health 1999;1:97–101.

16 McCann J, Ames B. Is docosahexaenoic acid, an n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid, required for development of normal brain function? An overview of evidence from cognitive and behavioral tests in humans and animals. Am J Clin Nutr 2005;82:281–295.

17 SanGiovanni J, Parra-Cabrera S, Colditz G, et al. Meta-analysis of dietary essential fatty acids and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids as they relate to visual resolution acuity in healthy preterm infants. Pediatrics 2000;105:1292–1298.

18 Breckenridge W, Gombos G, Morgan I. The lipid composition of adult rat brain synaptosomal plasma membranes. Biochim Biophys Acta 1972;266:695–707.

19 SanGiovanni J, Parra-Cabrera S, Colditz G, et al. Meta-analysis of dietary essential fatty acids and long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids as they relate to visual resolution acuity in healthy preterm infants. Pediatrics 2000;105:1292–1298.

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