Benefits of fish oil for pregnant women and how to choose? Omega-3 supplementation tips for pregnant mothers

During pregnancy, mothers should not only pay attention to balanced nutrition, but also lay a good foundation for the health of the fetus. In recent years, many doctors and nutritionists have recommended that pregnant women take fish oil supplements, because the Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil play an important role in the development of the fetus' brain and vision. However, there are many fish oil products on the market. How should pregnant women choose? What are the precautions for taking fish oil? This time, we will explain it in detail for all expectant mothers!

Benefits of fish oil during pregnancy

1. Helps the fetus' brain and vision development
   DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) in fish oil is an important component for the development of the fetal brain and retina. According to many international studies, if pregnant women take enough DHA, it will help improve the cognitive ability, learning ability and vision performance of their babies after birth.
   Literature support: A comprehensive analysis in the journal Nutrients in 2018 pointed out that DHA supplementation for pregnant women can promote the development of the fetal nervous system and help reduce the risk of premature birth (Greenberg et al., 2018).
2. Improve pregnancy outcomes and fetal growth and development
   DHA deficiency during pregnancy may be associated with placental inflammation, preeclampsia, premature birth, low birth weight and increased risk of postpartum depression in mothers. It may also affect fetal neural and retinal development and even increase the risk of allergic diseases in infants and young children.
   Supplementing with Omega-3 during pregnancy can help improve the above conditions, enhance the baby's physical development, immune system and visual function, and help pregnant women stabilize their cardiometabolic markers.
3. Reduce the risk of preterm birth and early premature delivery
   According to the latest nutritional guidelines, adequate intake of Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in early pregnancy can effectively reduce the risk of premature birth and early premature birth in singleton pregnant women.
   Recommendation: The total daily intake is about 1000 mg of DHA and EPA. It is best to start supplementing before 20 weeks of pregnancy for better results.
4. Helps mothers stabilize their mood after childbirth
   Several clinical studies have confirmed that adequate intake of Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the incidence of postpartum depression and also improve the condition of mothers who have already developed mild depressive symptoms.

How should pregnant women choose fish oil products? [Four Tips]

1. IFOS Five-Star Certification: The World's Most Strict Fish Oil Standard
   IFOS (International Fish Oil Standards) is the world's most stringent fish oil certification organization, which is more stringent than WHO standards. It tests fish oil concentration, impurities (such as heavy metals, polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins) and freshness (peroxide value, anisidine value) and other aspects.
   To obtain IFOS five-star certification, fish oil products must meet all standards for Omega-3, EPA, DHA concentrations and impurity testing.
2. Supercritical extraction + purification technology: higher purity, better taste
   Supercritical extraction technology is more advanced than traditional molecular distillation, and can effectively remove harmful substances such as polychlorinated biphenyls, dioxins and heavy metals, ensuring that the purity of fish oil is greatly improved.
   Combined with modern purification technology, the fishy smell of fish oil can be significantly reduced, making it easier for pregnant mothers who are sensitive to taste or prone to nausea to accept and continue to supplement.
3. High concentration rTG form: optimal absorption
   The Omega-3 concentration of current high-quality fish oil products is generally above 80%. The rTG (re-esterified Triglyceride) type of fish oil has the best absorption rate, which is much higher than the general ethyl ester type (EE).
   Fish oil with too low a concentration will not only lack effective ingredients, but also cause excessive intake of useless fats, which is not good for health. Choosing high-concentration rTG fish oil can allow pregnant mothers to supplement EPA and DHA more effectively.
4. Regular third-party inspection reports: safety guaranteed
   In addition to choosing IFOS five-star certified products, regular third-party inspection reports are equally important. The report should include:
   
   • AV (anisidine value), POV (peroxide value): reflects the freshness of fish oil
   • Heavy metal and microbial reports: confirm that the product is free of contamination
   • EPA and DHA quantitative reports: ensuring that active ingredients meet standards
   The above strict controls reflect the brand's high requirements for product quality and provide an extra layer of peace of mind for pregnant women and babies.

If you are still unsure about how to choose a fish oil product suitable for pregnant women, we recommend WHC UnoCardio®X2 Little Red Riding Hood Fish Oil , which is specially designed for pregnant women. Each capsule contains 1150mg of Omega-3 fatty acids with a purity of up to 95%. The raw materials are selected from deep-sea wild fish from Peru and Chile, with few impurities and toxins, and will not burden the mother's body.

Main literature references:

• Greenberg, JA, Bell, SJ, & Van Ausdal, W. (2008). Omega-3 Fatty Acid supplementation during pregnancy. Rev Obstet Gynecol, 1(4), 162–169.
• Middleton, P., et al. (2018). Omega-3 fatty acid addition during pregnancy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 11(11):CD003402.
• Kar, S., Wong, M., Rogozinska, E., & Thangaratinam, S. (2016). Effects of omega-3 fatty acids in prevention of early preterm delivery: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized studies. European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, 198, 40-46.