I am 27 years old and pregnant with DHA. Please tell me what DHA is and should I supplement it? When I give birth, should I give this to my child?
DHA is a long chain unsaturated fatty acid. This is an indispensable compound that makes up the brain and the phospholipid membrane of the retina. This compound is prioritized for incorporation into the brain and retina for rapid development of these organs in the third trimester and the first 6 months of life, with continuous accumulation throughout the rest of childhood.
There is also good evidence that the addition of this substance is safe without adversely affecting the growth of the child. Therefore, we suggest that pregnant women and lactating women consume one to three servings of high-DHA food per week, but choose foods that contain low levels of mercury or consume products. Other (medications, nutritional supplements) contain a minimum DHA of 200 mg / day. This goal is to help the fetus and infant to fully acquire essential fatty acids.
To ensure DHA for children, the baby should be breastfed for optimal health benefits. For non-breastfeeding children, donated milk should be given to someone other than formula if the milk source is safe. For formula-fed babies, there is still uncertainty about what the optimal DHA for your baby is, you should read the ingredients on each milk. For premature babies, they miss most or nearly one-third of the last 3 months to accumulate unsaturated long chain fatty acids including DHA. As a result, premature babies are often vulnerable to DHA deficiency. However, if there is a need for additional essential fatty acids (omega-3s), consult your pediatrician before use.