People have known for a long time that fish oils are good for your health. But during pregnancy, one must look at health axioms for the general public with a critical eye. One must consider what's healthiest for mother and infant. So is it smart for expecting women to take fish oil supplements?

It is very important to note that the cod liver oil which many of us were forced to take by our parents when we were children is not the same as omega 3 fish oil. Cod liver oil and other oils made from fish livers contain Vitamins A and D, which are not found in pure fish oil. Pregnant women are much better off supplementing with fish oil that doesn't have any A or D in it.

Omega 3 is an important supplement for women to take during pregnancy, as both the mother and the child can benefit from the oil. One way to ensure enough Omega 3 is consumed is through fish oil supplements, which are made from the flesh of fish and have been proven safe for both the mother and baby.

It is critical that pregnant women get a generous amount of omega 3 during their last trimester. Research shows approximately 8% of the human brain to be made of these fatty acids. They aid in the correct development of the fetus' brain and eyes. Studies suggest that a low intake of omega 3 during pregnancy corresponds to lower IQs, underdeveloped hand-eye coordination, and social difficulties later in a child's life.

These days, health literature often writes about the essential Omega 3 fatty acids. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are the beneficial elements in Omega 3. Since the human body is incapable of manufacturing Omega 3 fatty acids, it must be ingested in the form of food or diets supplements. Fish such as sardines, salmon and mackerel provides lots of Omega 3. On the other hand, because of the high concentrations of metal in fish, consuming fish during pregnancy is not without concerns.

%NL% Plants especially like flax and pumpkin seeds contain a substance named ALA, which is an omega of three fatty acids, which body is naturally unable to convert ALA in soluble and usable form meeting prescribed and recommended amount for pregnant women. To avail expecting mothers to get enough, they should be given dietary supplements of muscles of fish containing these oils.

Omega 3 benefits during pregnancy are not limited to the child - it has also been shown to alleviate depression which is all too common among mothers-to-be. There are many companies which market high quality fish oil supplements suitable for pregnant women. These are guaranteed to be free from fish liver oils and have been processed so that the oils are more easily absorbed by the body. There are so many benefits to taking omega 3 supplements during pregnancy that it would be foolish not to consider them.