If you're pregnant and getting advice on what to eat, there's a good chance that someone out there has told you about the benefits of including omega-3 fatty acids in your diet.
Omega-3s are found in abundance in oily fish like salmon, mackerel, and sardines. They have been shown to improve brain function and can even help reduce the risk of certain diseases like heart disease.
But with all this health goodness comes confusion around how much is too much. Can you overdose on omega-3 during pregnancy?
How Much Omega-3 Do You Need In A Day?
Before we get into whether overdosing on omega-3 is possible or not, let's look at how much you should be aiming for during pregnancy.
The American Pregnancy Association (APA) recommends consuming 200 - 300 milligrams of DHA per day while pregnant.
DHA stands for docosahexaenoic acid which is an essential nutrient needed for optimal fetal development as well as healthy brain development in infants after birth.
This recommendation translates to eating approximately two portions of oily fish per week coupled with incorporating vegetarian sources such as walnuts and flaxseeds into your diet.
However, it’s still possible to consume too many omega-3s through supplements especially if they are from more than one source such as food or additional supplementation.
What Happens When You Consume Too Much Omega- 3?
When taking the right amount(200 -300mg), nothing apart from making mama glowy will happen but when one decides to take over-the-counter (OTC) supplements without proper direction its easy steps beyond glowing skin(even though that was never a guarantee)
An excess consumption disrupting blood clotting required by Platelets could lead to bleeding issues rather than resolving control-related problems encountered; MORE THANs recommended doses may cause diarrhoea, oily skin and intense odour from sweat (so if you are getting a lot of complaints about smelling like an oily fish it's probably time to reassess your supplementation).
Trying to hide the smell with perfume will just increase how noticeable it is(so really depending on 'Spray & Pray' isn't often effective).
What About Overdosing On Omega-3 During Pregnancy?
So, can you overdose on omega-3 during pregnancy? The answer lies in understanding what overdose means.
In medical terms, an overdose happens when there is exposure to an excessive amount of a substance such as medication, alcohol or drugs which pose great threats to health.
However,overconsumption could lead to diminishing returns rather than optimal results. It’s tough love but still vital that one consumes moderate volumes otherwise the effects turn negative
This holds for all cases including consuming unsafe quantities of herbal teas with said “magical” benefits during pregnancy.
The Current guidelines on appropriate levels consumption provide safe borders but that doesn’t mean pushing the envelope as tempting might be very dangerous.
So Should You Avoid Omega-3 Supplements During Pregnancy?
Nope! Pregnant women should not totally eliminate consuming supplemental DHA(omega 3) – they need adequate amounts for their baby and general well-being.
But just like every other nutrient, overdosing would achieve neither GLOW nor deliver miraculous blue forces.
Always consult a Medical expert before taking any medications or supplements.
Conclusion
In conclusion,ladies its good eats them fishes,couple times per week saves us away from oily gym bags filled with our sweaty exercise clothes and avocado toast sandwiches yum;taking preventive measures helps avoid unnecessary concerns regarding anticipated positive outcomes.
So Ladies eat up wisely and help foster healthy fetal development once more.Its never too late(or early!)