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Pregnant Women in the Dark About Key Nutrient for Babiesby Jennifer Wider, M.D.Society for Women's Health Research Most women know how important it is to include folic acid and calcium with vitamin D in their diets, especially if they are pregnant, but a new survey reveals that a significant number of women do not know much about DHA omega-3, an important nutrient, vital for the development of the fetus. Roughly half of the 500 women surveyed, who are pregnant or nursing, eighteen years or older, and who have one or more children aged three and under, do not know about the need for DHA omega-3. The public opinion, telephone survey was conducted by Kelton Research in Los Angeles, Calif., and sponsored by the Society for Women’s Health Research, a Washington, D.C., based national advocacy group. Every pregnant woman knows that she is not just eating for herself, but also for her baby. It has become well established that women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should eat a well-balanced diet that includes a variety of nutrients. Folic acid is vital for making healthy cells and preventing birth defects. Calcium and vitamin D, which helps the body absorb and retain calcium, is important for strong bones and teeth. Most women also know that folic acid is commonly found in leafy green vegetables, while dairy products are a rich source of calcium. Both of these are also included in most multivitamins and are available in many fortified foods. “While most women have heard or read about the importance of iron or folate during pregnancy, almost 70 percent of women (in the study) say that their doctors have never talked to them about DHA,” says Elizabeth Somer, M.A., R.D., a nutrition expert who teaches at Willamette University in Salem, Ore. Studies have shown that DHA, an omega-3 fat, is important for brain, eye and nervous system development and function, as well as cardiovascular health. “DHA during pregnancy and breastfeeding may play a role in supporting healthy pregnancies, helping a mother's emotional well-being after birth and aiding the mental and visual development of infants,” Somer said. Increasing DHA in the diet can pose some challenges, especially for women who are pregnant because the source of DHA that women are most familiar with is in cold-water oily fish such as mackerel, herring and salmon. “Pregnant women and women considering pregnancy should not eat or should limit certain types of fish because of contaminants which have been shown to harm an unborn infant’s nervous system,” Somer said. Therefore, prenatal vitamins that contain DHA Omega-3 are a good option. Pregnant women or women who are planning to be pregnant need to recognize the importance of a well-balanced diet and other vital nutrients including DHA Omega-3 for their own health and the health of their babies. Women should check nutrition labels and ask their grocers what foods contain DHA omega-3. DHA also is available in supplement form, and there is a vegetarian-based source made from algae. |
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