Is it safe to take omega 3 fish oil supplements during pregnancy?
“Yes and no. There are two types of fish oil supplement -- those made
from the liver of the fish and those made from the body of the fish.
Supplements made from the liver of the fish, such as cod liver oil,
contain the retinol form of vitamin A and need to be either avoided
altogether or strictly limited in pregnancy so that your daily intake
does not exceed 3,300 micrograms (mcg). On the other hand, fish oils
not derived from fish livers contain lots of DHA (docosahexaenoic
acid), which is essential for your baby's developing eyes and brain.
DHA, also called omega 3 fatty acid, is found in concentrated amounts
in oily fish and, in lesser amounts, in other foods, such as walnuts
and linseeds. Including DHA in your diet is essential for your baby's
normal brain, eye and vision development, especially during the last
trimester. This may be one reason why premature babies are
particularly at risk of eye and brain damage.”
“At present, there is no recommended daily intake of DHA, although
this is currently being researched. In the meantime, remember that if
you eat a varied range of foods, including some oily fish, you may not
need to supplement your diet anyway.”