According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, fish oil is the most popular nonvitamin supplement sold in the United States. In addition to promoting cardiovascular health at all stages of life, omega-3 supplements can help to enable a new mother's postpartum health. Some evidence also supports the notion that fish oil can enrich a mother's breast milk and enable proper brain and eye development. While the benefits associated with postpartum fish oil supplements are manifold, experts warn that they may also be associated with some degree of risk.
Benefits
Nutritionists and health care providers widely recommend the use of fish oil supplements during and directly after pregnancy. The U.S. National Institutes of Health report that prenatal fish oil supplementation can increase gestational length and birth weight; additionally, some small-scale studies have demonstrated that fish oil can prevent pregnancy-related complications like preeclampsia. Emerging evidence also suggests that fish oil is essential for a mother's postpartum health. An Associated Press report published in May 2003 stated that women with a high intake of omega-3 fatty acids are at a lower risk of developing postpartum depression. Additionally, fish oil supplementation can help breastfeeding mothers maximize the baby's intake of the brain-building fatty acid DHA.
Effects
Omega-3 fats found in fish oil exert a number of effects on the human body, particularly during and immediately after pregnancy. Because the brain contains large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, nutritionists have theorized that deficiency in these essential compounds can contribute to decreased cognitive function and depression. In theory, omega-3 fats can prevent postpartum depression by addressing this common deficiency. Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids are commonly used to fortify infant formula because they are essential for the development of a baby's eyes and brain. If a breastfeeding mother takes supplemental fish oil, she may enrich the levels of these fatty acids in her milk. In theory, this can improve a child's mental function and vision; however, NIH notes that these uses have not yet been proven by extensive clinical research.
Considerations
Experts have not yet agreed regarding the ideal dose of fish oil during the postpartum stage, and the National Institutes of Health warn that extremely large doses can increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. Practitioners commonly recommend daily doses between 200 and 2,000 mg of the omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Because postpartum fish oil supplementation has not been extensively studied, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine recommends that women consult a health care provider before using them while breastfeeding.
Misconceptions
Many new mothers are unnecessarily concerned about the theoretical risk of heavy metal contaminants in fish oil supplements. The National Institutes of Health note that fish meat may contain unsafe levels of dioxins, methylmercury and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB), so some practitioners recommend against eating large amounts of predatory fish during pregnancy. However, these compounds tend to concentrate in the meat--not fat--of high-risk fish species; contaminants do not generally appear in fish oil supplements. Women can avoid the theoretical risk of contamination by selecting brands that offer third-party testing to verify potency and purity.
Warning
Fish oil is generally regarded as safe by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and other governing bodies; however, some women should avoid taking fish oil during the postpartum phase. According to the National Institutes of Health, fish oil can increase the risk of hemorrhage in women taking blood-thinners like warfarin or heparin. Additionally, fish oil may interact with high doses of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen, which are commonly prescribed to treat postpartum pain. Talk to your midwife, obstetrician or postpartum health care provider before taking fish oil if you have a bleeding disorder or experienced significant postpartum blood loss.
Member Comments