Omega oils ???

[Taradactyl3]

I'm almost 12 weeks and have been feeling a little low and emotional. I thought I'd take some Omega oils to help me out. I used to take some by Nordic Naturals but I'm nervous to take anything from a fish on a daily basis while preg.

What kind of things are you taking? Flax oil is supposed to be good but should I take a pill form? Any brands you trust?

TIA,
Tara

[PiePie]

I posted this question several months back. I have read how omega 3's are SOO good for the fetus's developing brain, but I was worried about the mercury. The conclusion was that the need for omega 3's outweighs the need to avoid mercury, and you can buy capsules with little to no mercury. So that's what I do -- I take a third of the recommended dose of fish oil. I have tried baking with flaxseed oil but I can't stand the taste.

[swimswamswum]

I was drinking a table spoon of flax seed oil every morning. My midwife said that fish oil is still a better source of Omega 3s. I'm now taking a capsule I got at the co-op that says it's mercury free.

Piepie, just fyi, flax seed loses a lot of its properties when it's heated, so the best way to ingest it is raw. :)

[rach03]

From what I had read on here Nordic Naturals Omega 3 fish oil supplements were fine to take during pregnancy...they are of high quality. That's why I went out and found some to take!

[greengrey]

I've been taking Omega 3's since before conception but I take it for clotting issues so for pregnancy it's also extremely beneficial. I used to take a brand called Omega Pur but now I take Costco's Health Balance. They're from a supplier called MEG-3 which I know takes good care of cleaning out the toxins in their products.

This is a list of brands they are affiliated with:

http://www.meg-3.com/M3P-DS.php

and here's what I use:

http://www.costco.ca/en-CA/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=10291049&whse=bcca&topnav=&browse=1

[BamBam'sMom]

Nordic Naturals (and many other brands) are tested for toxins. I limit fish, but take Cod Liver Oil every day.

Flax Oil should only be taken in small amounts. I mix a small amount with my salad dressing.

[Kharen]

I'm vegetarian, so I'm getting my omega-3/DHA from a microalgae supplement called O-Mega-Zen3 (https://secure15.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=vegane&BusType=BtoC&Count1=68081080&Count2=985221505&Keyword=o%2Dmega%2Dzen&Target=products%2Easp&Submit1.x=0&Submit1.y=0). Since it is not derived from fish oils and since it goes through a strigent filtration process, it's supposed to be free of environmental pollutants.

[Shelsi]

I can't really answer your question but just wanted to say CONGRATS!! :jumpers: :balloons We used to be on the TTC board together and I used to go back and check the One Thread all the time but I haven't in the last few months.

[nadia105]

I take the Nordic naturals DHA supplement. It seems like they have a high purity standard, so I don't worry about the mercury content.

[frenchie]

I took (and still take) Neuromins, which is a non fish source of DHA. It's derived from the seaweed that fish get their DHA from. The seaweed is grown in a controlled environment, so there is no worry about mercury contamination.

[naturemama1]

Congratulations! I agree that the benefits far outweigh the risks, especially since many brands of fish oil supplements are certified to be mercury-free. Carlson's is a reputable brand that's easy to find. Krill oil has a longer shelf life and contains the same EFAs as fish. Cod liver oil is another good choice. Flax/EPO/borage don't convert as efficiently into the full spectrum of EFAs, so they wouldn't be my first choice.

We also make sure to include a good amount of the safer types of fish in our diets. Wild Pacific salmon, tilapia, organic trout, haddock, and sardines are good choices. I recently read The Omega-3 Connection, as well as the section on fish in Real Food, and it blew my mind how crucial DHA and EPA are to the human brain -- to the extent that every primitive culture included a source of it, and even landlocked traditional societies would travel great lengths to trade with fishing tribes for dried seafood products. Amazing!

[gcgirl]

I've read some recent studies that the DHA from non-fish sources doesn't give the same brain health benefits. I take a DHA supplement and eat mercury tested fish (which I have to drive fifty miles to buy, unfortunately). However, I still take my flax seed oil on a daily basis. I find that the best tasting oil is Spectrum brand filtered. I mix a couple of tablespoons with 1/3 cup cottage cheese and some strawberries (or blueberries or any other berries you like). Mixing it with the cottage cheese makes it taste a lot better - the mixture ends up having a kind of butter-like consistency, which I had to get used to because it seemed so rich, but now it's a daily treat, and you keep the nutritional benefit since you're not cooking it.

[Taradactyl3]

Thanks for all the info! My A.P. suggested either nordic naturals or Carlsons. I'm going to check out my HFS tomorrow.

Tara