Fish oils exept during pregnancy have long been known to be benefical to human health. During pregnancy, however its always wise to consider what health advice is best for mother and unborn baby. So in your opinion, should pregnant woman take fish oil supplements?

Pregnant women, who need the Omega 3 fatty acid, should supplement with a fish oil that does not contain any Vitamin A or D in it. Cod liver oil, and other oils made from fish livers, contain Vitamin A and D. These are NOT found in pure fish oil. The Omega 3 is certainly different than the Cod liver oil that some remember taking as children years ago.

Fish oil supplements which are made from the flesh of fish are safe for expectant mother to take. In fact, fish oil of this type has been shown to have positive effects on the health of the unborn child as well as the mother. In particular, the intake of a substance called omega 3 is recommended during pregnancy.

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.

Omega 3 essential fatty acids are very popular in health literature these days. It is called essential because the human body is unable to make it and so it must be taken in through food or in the form of dietary supplements. The beneficial substances in omega 3 are docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Diets high is fish such as sardines, salmon and mackerel will provide lots of omega 3. However, there have been health-scares associated with eating lots of fish during pregnancy since some fish can have high concentrations of heavy metals in their flesh.

Some plants, in particular flax and pumpkin seeds, contain ALA, which is an omega 3 fatty acid, but the body is not able to convert the ALA into a usable form in the amount that meets the recommended intake for pregnant women. In order to ensure that expectant mothers are getting enough it is advisable to take supplements made form the flesh of fish which contain the oils.

The child is not the only one to benefit from Omega 3 during pregnancy - the oil also helps combat the depression that can often affect expectant mothers. There is no shortage of companies who produce fish oil supplements which are safe to use in pregnancy. These supplements are guaranteed not to contain fish liver oils and have also be processed so the oils are easy for the body to absorb. With so many possible advantages to be gained from taking omega 3 supplements during pregnancy, it's very wise to consider them.