Dawn wrote:
> Hello Everyone,
> I'm wondering if any one out there has gone through a dairy-free pregnancy
Hi Dawn.
While I'm on the subject of Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and
taking into consideration the fact that Millions of Women all
over the World never consume any Dairy products.
Yet go on to deliver healthy babys.
I thought you might find this post interesting.
Happy pregnancy.
Helen.
THE VITAL ROLE OF ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS
FOR PREGNANT AND NURSING WOMEN
by John Finnegan
Recently it has been discovered that the Omega-3 fats are necessary
for the complete development of the human brain during pregnancy
and the first two years of life. The Omega-3 fat and its
derivative, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), is so essential to a
child's development that if a mother and infant are deficient in
it, the child's nervous system and immune system may never fully
develop, and it can cause a lifetime of unexplained emotional,
learning, and immune system disorders.
Considering the enormous increase in emotional, learning, and
immune system disorders in our population today, one cannot help
but wonder what effect this widespread nutritional deficiency is
having on the breakdown in people's health.
One also wonders whether the prevalence of infant and childhood
illnesses like Epstein Barr; Candida albicans overgrowth; sinus
allergies; chronic ear, nose, and throat infections; as well as
so-called emotional disorders like hyperactivity and autistic
behavior, also have their basis in nutritional deficiencies,
particularly in the lack of Omega-3 fatty acids.
Further compounding the problem, an estimated 60-70% of all
two-month-old babies are bottle-fed, and 75-80% of all
four-month-old babies are bottle-fed; none of the powdered baby
formulas such as Isomil, Similac, Gerber, and Carnation contain
Omega-3 fatty acids.1 To my knowledge, all baby formulas are made
with commercially processed oils which contain high levels of
poisonous trans fatty acids and other harmful compounds.2
Dr. Donald Rudin, in his excellent book The Omega-3 Phenomenon,
states the issue succinctly: There is no comparable substitute for
the remarkable mix of nutrients and immunity-boosting factors
provided by mother's milk, as long as the mother is eating
properly. A well-nourished nursing mother provides her infant with
a perfect blend of essential fatty acids and their long-chained
derivatives, assuring the fast-growing brain and body tissues a
rich supply. Mother's milk also supplies important antibodies not
present in cow's milk or in artificial formula. Here is a nutritive
comparison:
* Breast milk may have five times more arachidonic acid and two
and
a half times more EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) than formula.
* Breast milk may have 30 times more DHA (docosahexaenoic acid)
than
formula.
* Compared with mother's milk, formulas are also low in selenium
and
biotin.
Sadly, the breast milk of many mothers in our country reflects the
high trans fatty acid and low Omega-3 content in the average diet.
American mothers produce milk that often has only one-fifth to
one-tenth of the Omega-3 content of the milk that well-nourished,
nut-eating Nigerian mothers provide their infants.
This discovery has far-reaching implications. A study in March,
1991 at the Mayo Clinic of 19 'normal' pregnant women consuming
normal diets indicated all were deficient in the Omega-3 fats and
to a lesser degree, Omega-6 fats.3 Another study of Inuit (Eskimo)
women, compared to Canadian women, revealed the same deficiencies
in the milk of Canadian nursing mothers.4
Compounding the problem is our nation's pervasive obsession with
weight loss programs, which induce women to avoid all fats. The
frightening news is that for the past three generations (since the
advent of refined oils), the vast majority of the population in
North America has not been given adequate nourishment for complete
brain development. The part of the brain that Omega-3 affects is
the learning ability, anxiety/depression, and auditory and visual
perception. The Omega-3 fats also aid in balancing the autoimmune
system, and there seem to be a growing number of children with
allergies, colic, and skin problems.
There are also indications that Omega-3 fats play an ongoing role
in brain function, healthy immune system function, and general
growth throughout childhood and adolescence. One study revealed
that Omega-3 supplementation induced catch-up growth in a
deficient, underdeveloped seven-year-old.5
Since our mental apparatus is developed in the mother's womb and
during the first two years of life, one would be wise to heed the
advice of the researchers from the Mayo Clinic study.6 They suggest
that this important fat be supplemented in every pregnancy, and
that refined and hydrogenated fats be avoided during this critical
period.
For these conservative researchers to include a message like this
in their research paper should make us concerned for our future. I
have personal experience with families who have had 'flax' babies.
These children (now 3 and 6 years old) are very bright and healthy
and have been free from many health problems most young children
now experience.
A deficiency of the Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats causes insufficient
milk production and breast engorgement. Flax seed oil has been
found to substantially increase milk production in women who are
not producing enough milk to nurse their infants. It also often
clears up breast engorgement. One woman I know was having great
difficulty producing enough milk to nurse her newborn child. Within
twenty-four hours of taking flax seed oil, her milk production
doubled, and one breast that was engorged opened up, allowing the
milk to flow freely.
Many authorities recommend that pregnant and nursing women consume
fatty fish two to three times weekly and/or add a minimal amount of
flax seed oil to their diets to insure adequate intake of Omega-6
and Omega-3 fatty acids.
Another paper worth reading is the report given by Artemis
Simopoulos, M.D., a pediatrician and endocrinologist from the
International Life Sciences Institute.7 She takes a comprehensive
look at how the Omega-3 deficiency affects many areas, from fetal
growth to arthritis and cancer.
A healthy mother's milk is high in essential fatty acids, GLA, and
other precursors to prostaglandins. Cow's milk is low in essential
fatty acids, and other prostaglandin precursors, and is high in
saturated fats. For this reason, cow's milk is not an adequate
substitute for mother's milk. Neither is baby formula. At a recent
international symposium on Dietary Omega-3 and -6 Fatty acids Dr.
Neuringer, an authority on infant milk, stated that the low
Omega-3, high Omega-6 content in infant formulas is of great
concern because of the imbalance it causes among the resultant
prostaglandins. These imbalances could impair the immune system and
predispose the infant to cancer and heart trouble later in life.
Feeding a nonnursing baby a few drops of flax seed oil will provide
the Omega-3 and Omega-6 essential fatty acids.
The Health Protection Branch of the Canadian government, which is
the equivalent of the American FDA, is considering requiring that
all infant formulas contain adequate amounts of the Omega-3 fatty
acids.
Flax seed oil is the highest source of Omega-3 fatty acids, a good
source of the Omega-6 fatty acids, and has no cholesterol. It is
good tasting and can be poured directly onto protein dishes,
vegetables, salads, grains, and soups. It is a very delicate oil
and should not be used for cooking.
Authorities recommend that 2% of daily calories be composed of
Omega-3 fatty acids, which can be provided by the following amounts
of flax seed oil:
1/4 teaspoon for nonnursing infants 1 to 6 months
1/2 teaspoon for nonnursing infants 6 to 12 months
1-2 teaspoons for 1- to 2-year-olds
2 teaspoons for children over 2 years
1-2 tablespoons for adults
Note: Since most adults today are deficient in the Omega-3 fatty
acids, nursing mothers may not have sufficient amounts to pass
along to their infants. It is especially important, therefore, for
pregnant and nursing women to supplement their diets with flax seed
oil. A few drops can be added to infant formulas and rubbed on the
infant's abdomen.
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