Fatty acids that the body cannot produce or synthesise and must be taken from outside are called essential fatty acids (EFA). EFA are polyunsaturated fatty acids that are absolutely necessary for humans and other mammals.
Omega-3 is found in fish (herring, mackerel, sardines, trout and salmon) and small amounts in eggs. Flaxseed oil, canola oil, soya bean oil, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, hemp seed oil and green leafy vegetables such as purslane, legumes are rich in ALA. Human milk contains significant amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. However, the main source of EPA and DHA is sea fish.
Dietary omega-6 fatty acids are precursors of proinflammatory (inflammation-promoting) molecules. Omega-3 fatty acids are precursors of anti-inflammatory (anti-inflammatory) molecules.
The role of omega-3 fatty acids in maternal and infant health:
The benefits of omega-3 fatty acids are:
Supporting the development of the baby's brain and retina
Reducing the risk of premature birth
Increasing the duration of pregnancy and the birth weight of the baby
Preventing the postnatal depression
Omega-3 fatty acids can also help to improve a child's maths intelligence, reading, pronunciation and writing skills.
Since omega 3 fatty acids are not synthesized in the body, these should be taken from the diet.
The prejudices about seasonal cessation or interruption of omega-3 fatty acids, which are fatty acids that the body cannot produce and must be taken with diet, do not reflect the truth, and there is no scientific data showing that their use is unfavourable in the summer months, so there is no restriction on their use in these months. This prejudice is based on the need for vitamin D from different sources. The most important source of vitamin D is sunlight. It is found only in oily fish and fish liver oil, and in small amounts in red meat and eggs. The need for vitamin D, which has important functions for bone development, immune system and metabolism, is met from fish in the winter period when sunlight is less, while in the summer period, the perception has developed that daylight meets this need, so there is no need for fish oil. However, the main substance that fish oils meet the needs of our body is omega-3 fatty acid. Therefore, consumption of fish oil is necessary in summer and winter.
The following points should be considered when using omega 3 fatty acids supplements:
The most important issue to be considered when using omega 3 fatty acids supplements is quality. In order to benefit from the benefits of fish oil, it is necessary to use refined fish oil obtained from fish that is not contaminated with heavy metals. You should make sure that the fish oil you use does not contain such harmful substances. Since the same risk may be present in fish consumed as food, the same warning applies to this.
The odour of fish oil can be so bad that it almost prevents children from eating fish. In this case, drinking fish oil can become a torment for both mother and children. Today, odourless fish oil can be produced with the developing technology. In addition, apart from the bottle form, there are products in disposable spoon form, which are produced in our country and exported to many countries of the world, including USA. The disposable spoon form provides ease of transport and use in all seasons, making it easier to drink fish oil on holiday. It is also important that the formula of the fish oil and the amount to be taken meet exactly. IFOS quality assurance must also be sought, because with this international assurance, it is proved that the fish oil is pure and does not contain any chemical harmful substances.
As a result, fish oils are not only a source of vitamin D. The main substance that fish oil meets the need is omega-3 fatty acid, which must be taken and which the human body cannot synthesise. It is important to consume fish oils that do not contain high amounts of vitamin D in the summer period in order to meet the need for omega-3.