Source: Daily Trust
Lagos — Nigerian pregnant women have been advised to inculcate the habit of taking Omega 3 DHA during pregnancy so as to develop their baby's vital sensory organs right from the womb.
Mr Yemi Amuwo, the Managing Director of Benjamin Michaels Limited, an indigenous pharmaceutical sales and marketing company, gave the counsel while addressing journalists at the launch of Pharmaton Matruelle, a prenatal vitamin and mineral supplement for women of child-bearing age.
According to Amuwo, adequate intake of Omega 3 (DHA) will develop the baby's brain, eyes among other sensory organs right from the womb.
He added that the use of Omega 3 also nourishes the mother to effectively carry the foetus all through the pregnancy period.
"Mineral supplements like Omega 3 is needed during pregnancy to cover for the increase needs of vitamins, minerals, trace elements and DHA during pregnancy.
It also helps in providing protection against embryonic neural tube diseases of the foetus.
"Also during lactation, there is a need to replenish maternal micro-nutrients depleted during pregnancy and increase the concentration of key micro-nutrients in maternal milk.
Thus, supplementation is the only guaranteed source of Omega 3 (DHA) that is mercury free and this is obtained in Pharmaton Matruelle," Amuwo said.
The Managing Director further listed food sources such as cold-water fish (salmon, sardines, herring, mackerel and tuna), fish oil, algae and specialty eggs as some of the intake that could enhance Omega 3 (DHA) in human bodies. He noted many sea food available in Nigeria are largely iced fish and not many people get to eat fresh fish which truly guarantee source of Omega 3 (DHA).