Fish oil/DHA while TTC and for kids

[MamaVee]

I stopped taking fish oil just before TTC because I wasnt sure of the safety with whatever traces of mercury might be in there. But I have started back up again due to some health stuff (nothing serious) and was relieved to see in the "what are you swallowing" thread that many of you are taking it too. I am using a cheap-o CVS brand that says "mercury-free" on the label, and that I had seen listed in a Prevention Magazine article as one of the top 5 least contaminated.

Is this anything you all have worried about or researched? And I'm also curious if fish oil has some benefit particular to TTC that I dont know about?

For those who are already momma's, are you giving your kids fish oil? I give my girl Horizon organic milk that has DHA, but I wonder if she should get fish oil instead - if it is safe.

When I was preg with her, I did not take fish oil, but used those DHA capsules that are marketed to pregnant and nursing women... I forget the name and brand, but I think its a formula company that sells them and they are around $11 a box.

Just wondering what ya'll have researched or heard from Dr.s on this stuff, particuarly in regard to mercury. And any benefits to TTC.

Thanks!

[MamaVee]

I'd also be interested to hear what brands you are using. Even though I read good things about CVS, I understand Nordic Naturals might be even higher quailty. I might spring for that soon, but it is so much more expensive!

[MamaVee]

Here is something interesting about a lawsuit against certain fish oil brands (including CVS, the one I am taking... great ) that contain PCBs, "known carcinogens and known reproductive toxins." So I am definitely going to switch to Nordic Naturals. Sheesh, its always something, isnt it? ugh. Thankfully it has only been a couple days that I started back taking them.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/...n6259938.shtml

[MamaVee]

ok forgive me while I continue chatting with myself here but I read more about the lawsuit and it seems CVS is being sued for selling OTHER brands that contain PCBs, not because their own store brand was found to be contaminated. Just wanted to share that in case anyone was freaking out. You can read more about the lawsuit here:
http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/...blic/index.sjs

Now I will quit posting and go to bed.

[fierrbugg]

My RE who tends toward a mix of conventional/naturopathic methods wants me to take Fish Oils while ttc. I remember reading a long time ago that wild caught was better? idk how true that is, but it stuck - so I have a brand from Sprouts with low/no mercury and wild caught. Can't remember the brand now. Idk if that helps?

[samy23]

How often are you eating oily fish? I have it 2-3 times a week but from what I've read, there is no extra benefit for eating it more than twice a week. And if you get it that much then you don't need to be taking fish oil supplements. Oily fish includes salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel.

[MommyMatsumoto]

Originally Posted by MamaVee

I stopped taking fish oil just before TTC because I wasnt sure of the safety with whatever traces of mercury might be in there. But I have started back up again due to some health stuff (nothing serious) and was relieved to see in the "what are you swallowing" thread that many of you are taking it too. I am using a cheap-o CVS brand that says "mercury-free" on the label, and that I had seen listed in a Prevention Magazine article as one of the top 5 least contaminated.

Is this anything you all have worried about or researched? And I'm also curious if fish oil has some benefit particular to TTC that I dont know about?

For those who are already momma's, are you giving your kids fish oil? I give my girl Horizon organic milk that has DHA, but I wonder if she should get fish oil instead - if it is safe.

When I was preg with her, I did not take fish oil, but used those DHA capsules that are marketed to pregnant and nursing women... I forget the name and brand, but I think its a formula company that sells them and they are around $11 a box.

Just wondering what ya'll have researched or heard from Dr.s on this stuff, particuarly in regard to mercury. And any benefits to TTC.

Thanks!

My husband and I take NSI (Nutraceutical Sciences Institute) Mega EFA that I purchase from Vitacost.com. Adults need around 2000mg of EPA and 1000mg of DHA daily so with that supplement we don't have to take as many capsules. Also, that particular supplement is made from anchovies and sardines - the smaller the fish, the less mercury there will be. I think most brands will say "mercury free," but in reality I think there will still be trace amounts of mercury just like there are in actual fish. It's kind of like how companies are allowed to put "0g trans fat" if there is less than 1g... not 0g.

For my daughter, I have been giving her Dr. Sears brand liquid fish oil since she stopped nursing at 15 months old. I also purchase that from Vitacost.com as it is much cheaper than through the askdrsears.com website. I would not give my child anything (even organic things) with DHA in them aside from breast milk or fish oil because the DHA is synthetic and carcinogenic. Personally, I would use raw milk or organic milk with a fish oil supplement. For my daughter, we put the fish oil into her milk and she drinks it just fine.