Omega 3, an essential nutrient, plays a vital role in supporting the healthy development of your baby and ensuring a smooth pregnancy journey. Not only does it contribute to the growth of your baby’s brain and eyes, but it also aids in cognitive function and promotes overall well-being for both you and your little one. To help you make an informed decision, we have carefully evaluated and compared five popular omega 3 supplements specifically tailored for expecting mothers. By exploring their unique qualities, potency, and safety profiles, you can confidently choose the best omega 3 supplement for pregnancy that provides optimal support during this precious time.
Omega 3 fatty acids are essential for bodybuilders: They reduce muscle soreness and give you the stamina you need in the gym. They’re also essential for women building bodies inside the womb, providing the critical building blocks for fetal brain cells. Getting enough omega 3 fatty acids in your prenatal diet can be challenging, especially during that first trimester. That’s why finding the best omega 3 supplement for pregnancy is critical.
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Omega Powerhouse: Unveiling the Best Omega 3 Supplement for Pregnancy is an original (HerHealthWatch) article.
Benefits of the best omega 3 supplement for pregnancy
Omega 3 fats are essential in producing prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that control inflammation, pain, and uterine contractions. Prostaglandins also regulate blood pressure, blood clotting, nerve transmission, and allergic responses while helping kidneys function properly. Omega 3 fatty acids have several other benefits for pregnant women, including:
- May prevent premature birth: Scientists tested more than 5,000 pregnant women and found that those given an omega 3 supplement were at a lower risk of going into labor before the 37th week of gestation.
- Supports eye development in the fetus: Omega 3 fats shape the nerve cells related to the retina. They are also vital in forming the synapses that transport messages between your baby’s eyes and brain.
- Lowers the baby’s risk of childhood obesity: Omega 3s help regulate insulin in both the mother and baby. Researchers found that the best omega 3 supplement for pregnancy reduces infant metabolic risk and the chance of obesity.
- Increases the baby’s IQ and motor function: Children whose mothers did not get enough omega 3 during pregnancy are more likely to score lower on tests of IQ, verbal intelligence, memory, fine motor skills, social skills, and communication skills.
- Helps with postpartum depression: After giving so many nutrients to the baby, a woman’s supply of omega 3 fats is often depleted. Those fats, especially DHA, are crucial to maternal mood, brain function, hormone balance, and postpartum recovery.
Searching for the best omega 3 supplement for pregnancy
Omega 3 fats can only be absorbed through diet and supplements since the human body does not manufacture them. Many expectant mothers don’t get an adequate supply for fear of mercury contamination from fish. In addition, most doctors limit seafood to two servings a week during pregnancy. The fetus absorbs most of the mom’s omega 3s for its nervous system development. That’s why finding the best omega 3 supplement for pregnancy is crucial.
The best omega 3 supplement for pregnancy is affordable, third-party tested, and contains at least 250 mg of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), two critical fats in omega 3s. Here’s a list of the top five brands:
- Life Extension Super Omega-3: Life Extension Super Omega-3 softgels offer 700 mg of EPA and 500 mg of DHA in every dose. A month’s supply (60 softgels) will cost about $15.
Pros: The product is third-party tested and contains no gluten or GMOs.
Cons: Customers complain about the softgels having a “fishy” smell, which can make some pregnant women nauseous, especially during the first trimester.
- DEVA Vegan Omega-3 DHA-EPA: The omega in this supplement is sourced from microalgae and contains 300 mg of DHA and 150 to 200 mg of EPA. It contains no animal or fish products. A 2-month supply will cost you about $32.
Pros: Since the product is not made from fish oil, there is no fishy aftertaste but a slight algae taste.
Cons: The product is not third-party tested
- Nature Made Prenatal: Nature Made Prenatal contains folic acid and 200 mg of DHA. A 3-month supply of softgels costs about $27.
Pros: The product is third-party tested and is USP verified, meaning it contains the ingredients listed on the label.
Cons: Like most fish oil supplements, this one will leave a fishy aftertaste.
- Kirkland Signature Krill Oil: This is Costco’s in-house brand, so it’s a little less expensive than others. However, it only contains 120 mg of omega 3 fatty acids, so you may have to take more than the recommended dose of one softgel to get the 250 mg of omega benefits for pregnancy. The price for 160 softgels is $26, but the cost per serving increases if you need two or three softgels daily.
Pros: Unlike fish oil, Kirkland Signature Krill Oil leaves no fishy aftertaste, and the product is USP certified and third-party tested.
Cons: Kirkland uses artificial vanilla in the product, and while there is no fishy aftertaste, some women complain about the strong taste and smell of vanilla.
- Kori Krill Oil: These Multi-Benefit Omega 3 softgels are sourced from the pristine Antarctic Ocean, and since the omega 3 is sourced from krill, it leaves no fishy aftertaste. It also contains 250 mg of both EPA and DHA with phospholipids to increase its absorption rate. A month’s supply costs about $20.
Pros: Kori Krill Oil gets top online reviews for its purity and sustainability practices. The company partners with the Aker BioMarine Antarctic krill fishery, the only fishery to receive a consecutive A-Rating from the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership.
This product is the best omega 3 supplement for pregnancy because it contains choline, an essential ingredient in membrane biosynthesis, tissue expansion, and brain development. Kori Krill Oil’s chief executive officer, Nancy Chan, says the choline and phospholipids in these softgels are just as crucial for pregnant and lactating moms. “We take the benefits that krill oil delivers, and we partner it with additional ingredients that have been clinically studied to support brain health.”
Cons: Like many supplements, Kori Krill oil contains sorbitol, an artificial flavor to enhance the taste. Since krill is a crustacean, it’s not recommended for people with seafood allergies.
Considering the cost, potency, effectiveness, and sustainability, we choose Kori Krill Oil as the best omega 3 supplement for pregnancy. They have a range of softgel sizes and even a new citrus-flavored gummy. The taste sets this omega 3 supplement apart from all others. Many women give up on taking the necessary omega 3s and prenatal vitamins because the taste and smell make them difficult to keep down. With Multi-Benefit Omega 3, you can get all the benefits of omega 3s without the fishy aftertaste.
Omega Powerhouse: Unveiling the Best Omega 3 Supplement for Pregnancy is the (HerHealthWatch) report.
Expecting the most from your supplement
The American Pregnancy Association affirms that fish oil supplements are primarily safe for consumption, as heavy metals are removed during manufacturing. They encourage you to choose a reputable brand that uses third-party testing to guarantee purity. However, krill oil has a much higher bioavailability, meaning it is more easily absorbed by the body. If you’re looking for an excellent source of omega 3 without the risks of eating some seafood, krill oil may be the best choice. As with any supplement, it’s best to consult your obstetrician before taking omega 3s while pregnant or breastfeeding. Most will tell you they’re perfectly safe and promise to give your baby a strong head start on its journey into the world.
Further reading for additional reference:
What to Expect: Omega-3 Foods and Fish Oil During Pregnancy
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists: Nutrition During Pregnancy
American Pregnancy Association: Eating Seafood During Pregnancy
Important Note: The information contained in this article (Omega Powerhouse: Unveiling the Best Omega 3 Supplement for Pregnancy) is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.
Regarding Nutritional Supplements Or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
