DHA role in fetal development
DHA is an essential component of neuronal lipids that build up neural tissues and photoreceptor cell membranes during development (1). This fatty acid is essential for the development of the central nervous system and retinal function via incorporation into cell membranes and has a vital function in both the construction and maintenance of vision and memory mechanisms (2).
Insufficient maternal DHA intake during pregnancy may compromise infant development. DHA accumulation in fetal brain tissue is most important during the last trimester of pregnancy, but this accumulation continues postnatally for at least the first two years of life (3;4;5).
A sufficient DHA intake by mothers during pregnancy can also reduce the risk of preterm birth. Preterm birth can have a significant, lifelong impact on children since preterm infants are more likely to suffer from a range of long-term conditions, including visual deficiencies, developmental delays and learning disabilities.
Real health benefits
The Cochrane study (6) examined 70 randomized trials and found that, for pregnant women, daily omega-3 supplementation was associated in the study with a 42% lower risk of very preterm birth (before 34 weeks).
Oils containing DHA are generally extracted from fish flesh (anchovy, sardine, tuna…), but despite the health benefits of DHA during pregnancy, concerns over the potential presence of environmental contaminants in fish oils, which could impact the health of the fetus, mean that pregnant women often avoid supplementation.
Fish, like humans, are not able to synthesize DHA but obtain it from their diet; the original natural source of this DHA is microalgae.
DHA can be sustainably produced directly from microalgae, offering a vegetarian and vegan-friendly alternative to fish oils (7;8;9). Most importantly, it can be offered to pregnant women safe in the knowledge that the carefully controlled production process eliminates the risk of environmental contaminants.
Algal DHA supplementation thus provides a safe way to support DHA intake during pregnancy, contributing to the maintenance of fetal brain and eye development. Algal DHA supplementation thus provides a safe way to support DHA intake during pregnancy.
DHA supplementation is important before pregnancy too
DHA intake during pregnancy is important, but preparing the body for pregnancy also appears to be important. Observational studies suggest that a woman consuming at least 200 mg of DHA daily prior to pregnancy may have her risk of preterm birth reduced by 3.7-fold (Stanhiser et al., 2022) (Fig 2). The Cochrane study (10;11), analyzing 70 randomized trials, found that the optimal dose was a daily supplement containing between 500 and 1000 milligrams (mg) of omega-3 fatty acids, including at least 500 mg of DHA.
While any increase in DHA uptake during the critical life-period is beneficial, intakes above 600 mg DHA/day may offer additional support for maternal and fetal health.
A clinical study orchestrated by Carlson et al.,(11) showed the safety and efficacy of DHA supplementation up to 1000 mg/day, a dose commonly used in high-end prenatal supplements in the US.[3.1] In Europe, Fermentalg’s DHA ORIGINS® is paving the way with the first autorisation for daily intakes up to 1 g, providing a safe, traceable, and high-quality source of algal DHA for prenatal supplementation.
In conclusion, DHA supplementation before and during pregnancy may have meaningful benefits for maternal and fetal health. Each country set out specific recommendations on DHA supplementation for pregnant women. These ones are available on the GOED website (13).
Sources :
1 Lavialle 2007. Le DHA dans la neurotransmission. DOI : 10.1684/ocl.2007.0099
10 Carlson et al., 2013. DHA supplementation and pregnancy outcomes. Am J Clin Nutr.
11 Carlson et al., 2017. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. 17:62 DOI 10.1186/s12884-017-1244-5.