Cod liver oil taken during pregnancy might enhance the development of your baby's brain and overall growth, but scientific research has yet to explore all the risks and benefits of taking cod liver oil during pregnancy. The benefits of cod liver oil stem from the vitamin A, vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids it contains. Consult your physician before taking cod liver oil at any time during your pregnancy to determine the safest dosage.
Benefits
Scientific research continues to look into a safe does of cod liver oil for pregnant women. A January 2003 article published in "Pediatrics" showed that pregnant women who took 2 tsp. of cod liver oil each day from the 18th week of pregnancy until their babies reached 3 months of age produced children with higher mental processing skills. MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, shows that fish oil, including cod liver oil, also might help reduce your baby's risk of developing asthma when taken during the late stages of pregnancy. Not enough evidence exists to determine if fish oil helps reduce your baby's risk of allergies, premature birth or atopic dermatitis
Considerations
The vitamin A content of cod liver oil might make the supplement unsafe during pregnancy. Each teaspoon of cod liver oil contains between 4,000 and 5,000 IU of vitamin A, according to Dr. Alan R. Gaby in an article for the Bastyr Center for Natural Health. Read the label of the cod liver oil you want to take to ensure that you do not take in more than 10,000 IU of vitamin A each day. Taking an excess of 10,000 IU increases your baby's risk of developing birth defects.
Alternative
The Baby Centre suggests pregnant women take a fish oil supplement made from the body of the fish rather than the liver. While most of these supplements do not contain vitamin D or vitamin A, they provide you with the same omega-3 fatty acids associated with the improved cognitive function seen when taking cod liver oil. A healthy diet that encourages the consumption of two servings of fatty fish each week, foods fortified with vitamin D and dark leafy greens with vitamin A also can provide the same benefits as taking cod liver oil. Consult your physician prior to making any dietary changes or taking any supplement during pregnancy.
Dosage
A safe dosage of cod liver oil during pregnancy differs based on the amount of vitamin A contained in the supplement. Gaby recommends keeping your intake of cod liver oil to less than 2 tsp. each day to avoid taking in too much vitamin A. Discuss a safe dosage with your physician when you get the go-ahead to take cod liver oil.
References
- "Pediatrics"; Maternal Supplementation With Very-Long-Chain n-3 Fatty Acids During Pregnancy and Lactation Augments Children's IQ at 4 Years of Age; Ingrid B. Helland, M.D.; January 2003
- MedlinePlus; Fish Oil; February 2011
- Bastyr Center for Natural Health; CLiver Oil During Pregnancy Makes Babies Smarter; Alan R. Gaby, M.D.
- Baby Centre; Is It Safe to Take Fish Oil supplements During Pregnancy?; Sarah Schenker; November 2010
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