DHA stands for docosahexaenoic acid. It is a long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid that has been shown to have substantial health benefits to both mom and baby. DHA is especially important for the developing fetus. It is a major fatty acid and comprises portions of the brain and retinal tissue.
Unfortunately, the majority of American women do not get the recommended level of DHA set by the NIH (National Institutes of Health) and ISSFAL (International Society for the Study of Fatty Acids and Lipids) of 300 mg per day.1
Mission Pharmacal has chosen Martek Biosciences as their DHA supplier. Martek's patented DHA is an all vegetable-source DHA. Be confident in knowing that the DHA you are taking is from a non-fish source, so you don't need to worry about the possible trace amounts of mercury, PCBs, environmental contaminants, or other environmental concerns such as over-fishing.
Benefits of DHA
- DHA intake during pregnancy and lactation indicates improved intelligence of children at 4 years of age.2
- DHA intake during pregnancy has been shown to increase gestational length by up to six days.3
- DHA intake during pregnancy may allow the fetus to have a more mature central nervous system at birth.4
- Supplementing with DHA during pregnancy and after delivery may result in a reduction of post-partum depression.5
- Simopoulos AP, Leaf A, Salem N Jr. Workshop on the Essentiality of and Recommended Dietary Intakes for Omega-6 and Omega-3 Fatty Acids. J Am Coll Nutr. 1999 Oct;18(5):487-9.
- Helland IB, Smith L, Saarem K, Saugstad OD, Drevon CA. Maternal supplementation with very-long-chain n-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and lactation augments children's IQ at 4 years of age. Pediatrics. 2003 Jan;111(1):e39-44.
- Smuts CM, Huang M, Mundy D, Plasse T, Major S, Carlson SE. A randomized trial of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation during the third trimester of pregnancy. Obstet Gynecol. 2003 Mar;101(3):469-79.
- Otto SJ, de Groot RH, Hornstra G. Increased risk of postpartum depressive symptoms is associated with slower normalization after pregnancy of the functional docosahexaenoic acid status. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2003 Oct;69(4):237-43.
- Cheruku SR, Montgomery-Downs HE, Farkas SL, Thoman EB, Lammi-Keefe CJ. Higher maternal plasma docosahexaenoic acid during pregnancy is associated with more mature neonatal sleep-state patterning. Am J Clin Nutr. 2002 Sep;76(3):608-13.
Expecting? Estimate your due date with this online pregnancy wheel.
Click here for an interactive guide to a baby's growth and development during a typical pregnancy.
CitraNatal DHA and CitraNatal 90 DHA provide 250 mg of Martek's life'sDHA™, the bulk of the recommended daily amount.
