Fish Oil Fast Fact #168: The Pregnancy Paradox: Limit Tuna, But Amp Up the Omega 3
Posted by Michael Byrd on Nov 27 2009 | Tagged as: Fish Oil
When you become pregnant, your doctor will likely recommend that you stop eating fatty fish like tuna and mackerel. If they are a major part of your diet, you will likely be encouraged to limit your consumption to no more than once a week. This is because these fish often contain traces of the element mercury, which can build up in the body and even cause health problems that are, as a body, called mercury poisoning. However, eliminating these common elements of your diet can cause a major shortage in omega 3 fatty acids, which are essential to the development of your baby and to the nutritional quality of your breast milk once the baby is born. Fortunately, there is an alternative. Arctic salmon are also high in omega 3, but they live in the clear, icy waters of the Arctic Circle where there is relatively low pollution. In addition, many high-quality omega 3 supplements are made from Arctic salmon, and the best supplements are guaranteed toxin-free for your peace of mind. So just because you are giving up tuna for the duration of your pregnancy does not mean that you have to give up on this essential nutrient that will play a major role in the growth and development of your child.
