The Role of Omega-3 Fatty Acids like DHA in Prenatal Vitamins and Other Fertility and Pregnancy Health Supplements
Prenatal vitamins are jam-packed with the critical nutrients you and your baby need. Scanning the label of your prenatal supplement, you might see a couple dozen ingredients listed, from familiar names like folate and Vitamin B to some lesser-known acronyms, such as DHA.
What is DHA, and why is it important for expectant mothers?
Ovaterra is here to demystify this crucial ingredient.
From sea to supplement
DHA stands for docosahexaenoic acid. (Yeah, that’s a mouthful!) It’s one of the most biologically active forms of omega-3 fatty acids (also known as n-3 fatty acids), and it’s found in fatty cold-water fish such as tuna and salmon, as well as in seaweed. Dairy and meat from grass-fed animals also contain small amounts of DHA.
Omega-3 fatty acids can’t be synthesized in the body and must come from diet or supplements.
During pregnancy, some DHA is diverted to the growing fetus via placental transfer from mother to baby. In infancy, babies can receive DHA through breastfeeding or from DHA-enriched formula.
The benefits of DHA in prenatal vitamins and beyond
If DHA has a long name, it also boasts a long list of benefits for mothers and babies.
It starts with preconception. Research indicates that omega-3s improve egg quality and ovarian function, potentially enhancing female fertility by regulating inflammation and supporting hormone balance. Diets rich in omega-3s may promote ovulation and increase pregnancy rates.
In men, omega-3 fatty acids are linked to improved sperm quality, including better morphology, motility, and count. By reducing oxidative stress and inflammation, omega-3s also create a more favorable environment for conception.
DHA is also a critical building block of the human brain and eyes. This omega-3 fatty acid constitutes between 30 and 40 percent of the brain’s total fatty acids, underscoring its importance in the development of a baby’s central nervous system. The retina also relies heavily on DHA for optimal function, making it indispensable for healthy vision.
One study noted that increased intake of n-3 fatty acids in pregnancy correlates to “reduced rates of intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, reduced allergies and asthma in children, and improved neurocognitive outcomes in offspring.”
And that’s not all—research also shows that DHA plays a role in preventing perinatal depression, a mood disorder that occurs during pregnancy and following childbirth. One meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials found that “omega-3 FA [fatty acids] significantly improved depressive symptoms in perinatal women.”
Make a splash in your prenatal regimen
Ovaterra’s Advanced Prenatal Vitamins with DHA and Choline contain 36 mg daily of DHA from anchovies. And that’s in addition to 24 mg of EPA, or eicosapentaenoic acid, another form of fish oil.
This should be supplemented by DHA from fish in your diet—just remember to avoid types of fish that are high in mercury.
