The Essential Role of Omega-3 DHA in Healthy Pregnancies.

Pregnant women in India are deficient in omega-3 DHA due to predominantly vegetarianism. Therefore, it is important that you know your DHA levels and modify your diet.

An important aspect of pregnancy is maintaining a nutrient-dense diet. Folic acid, iron, vitamin D, calcium, iodine, and omega-3 DHA are all equally important nutrients for overall baby development and a healthy pregnancy.

What is DHA?

DHA or docosahexaenoic acid is an essential omega-3 fatty acid that cannot be produced by our bodies naturally. It is rich in seafood like salmon, tuna, and anchovies. So, it is necessary to consume these foods.

A baby's brain develops rapidly, especially from the last stage in the womb to the first two years. DHA is considered the building block of your baby's brain because it makes up 97 percent of the omega-3 fatty acids found in the brain and 25 percent of the total fat in the brain. As DHA is present in large quantities in the brain and retina, it helps develop the baby's brain, eyes, and central nervous system.

DHA is essential not only for babies but also for mothers. Approximately 200 mg daily during pregnancy. DHA is essential. Optimal DHA levels during pregnancy support a healthy birth weight with a full-term pregnancy. DHA also helps reduce the risk of preeclampsia during pregnancy and supports a mother's healthy mood after delivery.

DHA in breast milk:

Breast milk is an important source of nutrition for newborns. DHA, naturally present in breast milk, supports your baby's cognitive function and has a positive effect on the baby's vision. For breastfed infants, the amount of DHA is 0.32 percent to 0.35 percent. However, the amount of DHA in breast milk is the same as the amount of DHA found in the diet of the mother of the newborn. The rate of absorption varies depending on dietary intake.

Therefore, breast milk testing is to check the mother's DHA levels and ensure that you are eating foods with the right DHA to provide the right nutrition to your baby.