Omega-3 in pregnancy: Is it really important?

The human brain is composed of almost 60% fat. Important for the formation of the myelin sheath of neurons (the outer membrane of brain cells), it allows for a rapid and more efficient exchange of 'information' between nerve cells. The period of greatest structural brain mass development in the baby occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy; during this time, the mother's adequate intake of omega-3 can have a positive impact for many years in her child’s life. Its use is recommended throughout pregnancy and the breastfeeding phase for a more sustainable result.

From the moment of conception, when two cells merge, the human embryo embarks on an incredible developmental journey. From a single cell, the embryo will transform into trillions of cells organized into the complex form that is the human body. During its stay in the womb, the mother will provide shelter, food, water, and oxygen. Precisely during this period, maternal choices will affect the life of this new being in the short, medium, and long term. A time of rapid construction that requires adequate supplies in optimal quantities.

During the weeks of the gestational period and the first months of the baby's life, any possibility of deficiency must be avoided, providing nutrients for the continuous development of the fetus and the mother's health.

In this period of so many changes, each phase requires special attention from parents and health professionals, surrounding themselves with care and information to optimize current and future results, using specific nutrients focused on the structural qualities of the parts, thus building a rich environment for the organism as a whole, and preparing it for a life where adversities will present themselves in a complex manner. This utilizes the window of opportunity that science is revealing, through the use of supplements, for the advantage and benefit of all – here, especially, the mother and the baby.

Many of the nutrients presented, such as iron, iodine, and folic acid, have been studied longer or are popularly known, but there are others that science is analyzing and showing expressive results. What science has proven in recent decades about the preventive and maximizing role of supplementation during (and after) pregnancy will be in the following lines of this article. The goal is to report that the use of some supplements can generate a different final result, not only preventing diseases but also optimizing the functioning of the future child's organism. This is the possibility of offering more health to the child even before its birth.

• Children of mothers supplemented with omega-3 show improved mental processing, learning, memory, psychomotor development, and hand-eye coordination, as well as prevention of attention deficit.

• Positive effect on the child's vision. DHA is one of the main structural fats in the eye's retina, accounting for up to 60% of the total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA).

• Adequate DHA levels in the diet appear to be crucial for building long-term neuronal resilience for optimal brain performance and aiding in the battle against neurological diseases.

• Greater adaptation to stress during pregnancy and prevention of perinatal depression.

This content is part of Clínica Revitalize's commitment to translating science into accessible clinical practice — without losing rigor or depth.