Omega-3 fatty acid addition during pregnancy

Omega-3 Fatty Acid supplementation during pregnancy.

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential and can only be obtained from the diet. The requirements during pregnancy have not been established, but likely exceed that of a nonpregnant state. Omega-3 fatty acids are critical for fetal neurodevelopment and may be important for the timing of gestation and birth weight as well. Most pregnant women likely do not get enough omega-3 fatty acids because the maj...

Estimating intake of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy

The essential omega 3 (n-3) fatty acid alpha-linoleic acid (ALA) and the n-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are important structural components of cell membranes. During pregnancy a steady supply of n-3 fatty acids is required to support positive fetal development (1-4) and maternal health (5-9). Over the past decade, extensi...

Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation

Free fatty acids and the risk of sudden death • Elevated circulating free fatty acids have been reported to be a risk factor for sudden death. In the Paris Prospective Study reported by Jouven et al. [ 3 ], 5250 men were observed over a mean follow-up period of 22 years. The concept that omega-3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may have potential health benefits has been supported by e...

Omega-3 Fatty Acid-Derived Mediators 17(

Omega-3 and Trans Fatty Acid Interactions

For those who do not consume preformed DHA from dietary sources, concern has been expressed about the potential inhibitory effect of high trans fatty acid (TFA) intakes in the diet relative to ALA and the potential for an even more compromised conversion efficiency from ALA to DHA. This concern is based on extensive literature indicating that high trans intakes in experimental animals partially...