I have been an advocate of flax oil for years because its an excellent source of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids (LNA). Much of the current and less popular research re: flax seed oil points us in the direction of other properties found in flax seed oil such as phytoestrogens and lignans that actually play a role in tumor growth (prostate and mammary) and effect reproductive health as well as reproductive development of offspring in animal studies. (There are also detectable levels of cadmium.)
The Mayo clinic advises mothers against taking flaxseed oil during pregnancy and lactation. As I plow through the research I can see why.
Here is a snapshot:
Susceptibility to carcinogen-induced tumorigenesis
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17398067?ordinalpos=3&itool=EntrezSys...
Effecting reproduction and development
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12738187?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSys...
Affects pregnancy outcome and reproductive development in rats
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9808635?ordinalpos=1&itool=EntrezSyst...
A better bet would be canola oil, walnut oil, deep green leafy vegetables (foliage adds folate as well), walnuts, seeds (pumpkin) and grass fed beef.
Jan Katzen-Luchenta AMI CFP
www.nutritionforlearning.com
www.iluminahealing.com
Jan Katzen-Luchenta
Author - Nutrition for Learning:Feeding the Starving Brain - Foresight nutritional counselor- Montessori educator - www.nutritionforlearning.com
Such good information, but
Such good information, but unfortunately, all of that kind of nutritional information is typically the stuff that an OB is not "up to speed" on.
Thanks for sharing!!!
Happy2BMommy, is a stay-at-home mom who just turned 40 (argh!) with a 6 yr. old daughter and a 4 yr. old son, and is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com living in Scottsdale.
Thanks for the
Thanks for the info--wondering how you feel about fish oil?
Would this include those DHA
Would this include those DHA supplements that everyone is taking with their prenatal vitamins now?
What if pregnant women just
What if pregnant women just went back to feeding their cravings (i.e. ice cream and pickles)? Surely, their bodies know what they need. It worked for most of our Moms and Grandmothers.
That's fine if you have
That's fine if you have cravings...but in both pregnancies, I had/have strong food aversions. Its not like nausea, just nothing appealed to me, and nothing tastes good. I actually have to work to put on weight. I know it's a hormonal thing too, because I don't have to work to put on weight when I'm not pregnant, I'm not naturally thin.
This pregnancy, I absolutely can't stand meat, the smell is disgusting, most vegetables except peas taste totally bland (and normally I love vegetables). Salsa and salad dressing taste rancid, when I know they are not. Potatoes are OK, but not french fries, sweet potatoes are OK, but only as fries. If I actually "listened to my body", I'd be eating pasta with cheddar cheese on it every night, but that's not good for me, my baby, or the rest of my family and it sets a bad example for my toddler son.
So should I be taking the DHA supplements, or not?
Personally? Take the
Personally? Take the supplements if it makes you feel better. If what you want is Kraft Mac and Cheese Deluxe every day, eat it. You'll want something else soon enough. There's no rule that says that you have to eat what the rest of the family is eating. Even a toddler can understand that Mommy is on a baby (or other) diet, and she's not eating the same things that everybody else is.
God's an expert on making babies; He's been at it for a couple of thousand years. I've never heard of a baby showing up malnutritioned because his/her Mom could only stomach a few different foods.
Please refer to this last
Please refer to this last post about fish oil - there is a lot of good info. Also, the quote from Dr. Sears inspired me to write about flax seed oil in pregnancy and lactation. It wasn't really clear but it sounds like he was interchanging them as "one being the same as the other". This is not true. DHA (in fish oil) has a very specific structural requirement in the retina (30 % DHA) and the grey matter of the cerebral cortex which is rich in synapses and membranes responsible for neurotransmission.
Here is the link to the recent post about fish oil -
http://arizonamoms.com/momtomom/education-development/babies-toddlers/fi...
Studies show that an omega-3 rich diet supports cognitive development and learning ability (there is 5 times as much DHA in neurons than in red blood cells). Omega-3 (DHA) deficiencies during the early years can lead to a constellation of challenges later on such as:
* Vision problems (the retina is 30% DHA)
* Impaired motor coordination
* Difficulties with attention and impulse control
* Delayed language and social skills
* Dyslexic disorders (Magnocells responsible for timing visual events in reading rely on DHA for adaptation and flexibility.)
* Development and severity of autistic spectrum disorders
Yes by all means - keep up the fish - during pregnancy as well as weaning (and all through life stages) - studies show the benefits far outweigh the risks.
Please don't minimize the recommendations for eating while pregnant. The protein, iron, and calcium requirements increase (as do all nutrients) and are critical to healthy embryonic and fetal development.
Mothers-to-be hold the tastes of the foods that could determine their newborns future health and intelligence.
Jan Katzen-Luchenta AMI CFP
www.nutritionforlearning.com
www.iluminahealing.com
Jan Katzen-Luchenta
Author - Nutrition for Learning:Feeding the Starving Brain - Foresight nutritional counselor- Montessori educator - www.nutritionforlearning.com
The DHA supplements are fine
The DHA supplements are fine - just make sure they are pharmaceutical grade. The RDI for pregnancy is 300 mg. Many pre-natal supplements have more.
Consumption of 12 - 15 ounces of fish a week is good. Research confirms that pregnant women can eat fish. Wild fish, cod loin, salmon, cooked shellfish have vital vitamin and mineral stores along with essential fatty acids.
Jan Katzen-Luchenta AMI CFP
www.nutritionforlearning.com
www.iluminahealing.com
Jan Katzen-Luchenta
Author - Nutrition for Learning:Feeding the Starving Brain - Foresight nutritional counselor- Montessori educator - www.nutritionforlearning.com