It’s always important to give the body nutrients it needs—but it’s especially important when you’re pregnant.
One nutrient that’s key for pregnant people is omega-3 DHA. But what, exactly, is DHA? And why should you look for DHA in a prenatal multivitamin?
What is DHA?
First things first—before we jump into the importance of omega-3 DHA (and why it’s especially important during pregnancy), let’s first cover what DHA actually is. DHA is the abbreviation for docosahexaenoic acid, one of the three major omega-3 fatty acids. (The other 2? Alpha-linolenic acid, or ALA, and eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA.) Omega-3s are an essential part of cell membranes and are involved with a variety of processes in the body, including supporting brain, heart and eye health.*
All the omega-3 fatty acids are present in the body, but DHA is particularly prominent in the brain and eyes (which is why they play such a crucial role in supporting brain and vision health). Ongoing research also points to additional health benefits of DHA for pregnant women††.* (1)