Fish Oil Benefits for Fertility in Male & Female Pregnancy

Fish Oil for Fertility

Many young men have poor semen quality, and the causes are often unknown.

Semen quality is one of the most important factors in male infertility and diet is a important factor that can affect sperm quality. In this regard, it is necessary to identify the type of diet that improves sperm parameters such as motility, morphology and concentration. And fish oil is one such food ingredient, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids that can improve the fertility.

Fish Oil & Male Fertility

Many researches have been done that highlighted that nutrition and lifestyle play a critical role in the normal functioning of the reproductive system. In addition to demographics and certain lifestyle factors (age, alcohol and smoking), there is growing evidence of the role of nutrition in the decline of sperm quality.

Omega-3 fatty acids have a significant effect on sperm motility and normal morphology. And recent studies have shown the correlation of a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and sperm quality. These studies demonstrated a positive correlation with total sperm count, morphology, increased sperm motility and reduced DNA fragmentation in sperm.

Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are essential fatty acids that cannot be manufactured by the human body and must be obtained from the diet, mainly from fatty fish or blue fish (tuna, salmon, bonito, mackerel, anchovy).

Taking fish oil supplements can improve sperm quality in healthy young men, as per study published in the JAMA Network Open.

Omega-3 foods for pregnant women

Fish, including fish, molluscs and crustaceans, is a rich source of protein and very poor in saturated fatty acids. It is also the main source of two types of omega-3, long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids: decosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

Check out Omega-3

These acids can also be obtained from fish oil. Although the human body is capable of producing DHA, the amount it produces is insufficient to meet the needs of pregnancy, so it is necessary to supplement the pregnant woman with fish or DHA.

Eat fish two or three times a week

The recommended daily intake of omega-3s is 2 grams per day during the first 6 months of pregnancy and 2 to 2.5 grams per day in the third trimester and the breastfeeding period. This is equivalent to consuming one serving of fish, two to three times a week during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

How much omega-3s to take in pregnancy

Most multivitamins administered in pregnancy contain about 200 mg of omega-3 (DHA) per capsule. Some come from fish and others from algae, so the taste and tolerance to these poly vitamins may vary depending on the origin of omega-3.

For pregnant women, who do not eat the recommended amount of fish, in addition to vitamin supplements, they can also take foods with fish oil, algae rich in omega 3 and milk or yogurts enriched in omega 3.

Read more: Importance of Omega-3-6-9 for Fertility

What are the benefits of fish and omega-3s in pregnancy?

Neurological and visual development of the baby

Omega-3 (DHA) is of particular importance in the world of obstetrics and paediatrics because it is involved in the neurological development of the fetus and the newborn.

That is why consumption of fish is promoted among pregnant women and mothers who breastfeed, to achieve a normal development of both the retina and the brain.

In this way a correct visual and cognitive function of the children could be achieved in most cases because DHA is a necessary structural component for the grey matter of the brain and for the membranes of the retina. The most important periods in which to try to boost fish intake are the third trimester of pregnancy and the first two years of the child’s life.

Check out: Cod liver oil for fertility

However, not always when the recommended doses of omega-3 are consumed during pregnancy and lactation can we guarantee correct cognitive and visual development, as other factors intervene in these processes.

Decreases triglyceride levels in pregnant women

It is well known that during gestation there is a mobilization of fatty acids and thus an increase in plasma triglyceride levels. Therefore the role of omega 3 would help to decrease these triglycerides.

It helps to maintain a correct blood pressure

Among other functions, the beneficial role of omega-3 has been demonstrated in some studies in contributing to maintaining normal blood pressure in pregnant women.


Author: Nilam

Nilam Author

This article has been written by Nilam Mehta and she is one of the owner of this site/blog.

Nilam has worked in Pharmaceutical industry and have studied – Lifestyle Medicine from Doane University; Science of Exercise from University of Colorado Boulder. She believes that many of health problems can be cured naturally.

You can reach her on [email protected]

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