Taking fish oil while pregnant

Basic information

As we all probably know, the basic and most important constituents of fish oil are the omega-3 fatty acids, as well as eicosapentaenoic acid. Fish oil as such simply abounds in health related benefits, one of its most important being the maintaining of cholesterol levels in a person's body. It is exactly such benefits, and numerous others, that have made this type of oil extremely important, and also immensely used over the recent couple of years. As far as its main constituent is concerned, i.e. the omega-3 fatty acids, it is known that they are a part of the unsaturated fatty acids category, whose richest sources are fish, seeds and various plants, the first being the most important and the richest source of them. Given the fact that our body is unable of creating omega-3 fatty acids on its own, the oil in question is also often termed as the essential oil, and therefore it needs to be acquired from various types of food. This tends to baffle certain persons, especially women who are pregnant, since consuming the oil in question is related to a possible contamination with mercury, which is in turn responsible for increasing the risk of a premature childbirth. But as numerous research studies and the number of already registered cases confirm, the rate of occurrence of the mercury contamination and premature birth directly related to taking in fish oil is quite low.

The richest fish sources are sardines, mackerel, trout, herring, and salmon of course, but unfortunately as little as 40% of both expecting and already-mothers are familiar with all the health related benefits that these acids hold in them during and also after the pregnancy.

Pregnancy and benefits

The most important benefit that this oil has to offer is most certainly its potential to enhance and contribute to a more favorable growth of the baby’s brain and its nervous system in entirety.The oil in question is also known to be anti-inflammatory in nature, which is important because it can aid in decreasing and alleviating the chronic pain manifestations that accompany an inflammation.Also, this particular oil is important because it promotes healthy joints, enhances and improves cognitive functioning, healthy eyes, skin and hair of a baby.When consumed in the course of pregnancy, fish oil is known to have the ability to lower blood pressure, which directly aids in lowering the risk of the occurrence of primary and secondary heart attacks.