DHA Good For Baby’s Immune System, Fighting Off Colds, Study Shows

There’s a new super-supplement out there for moms-to-be – DHA, the omega 3 fatty acid, is good for babies during pregnancy, helping build their immune systems and fight off colds in their early life.

A new study out of Mexico, composed of data from over 1,000 women, tested the effects of DHA by giving some of the women a 400 mg dose of the supplement or a placebo three times a day during their second trimester.

Researchers followed up with the mothers one month later to see the effects of DHA – they found that 38 percent of infants from the supplement category experienced cold symptoms in the previous 15 days, compared to the 45 percent of babies who’s mothers had received the placebo. At the second follow-up, 3 months, there was still a noticeable gap, of 38 percent to 44 percent.

The study also found that the babies in the DHA group who did experience cold symptoms, recovered up to 25 percent faster than placebo babies. While the gap between the placebo group closed over the next months, even at 6 months when the researchers checked in again, the supplement group were still shown to get over symptoms faster.

The most commonly recommended source of DHA for pregnant women is fish oil supplements. DHA is also found in fish, and in smaller quantities in eggs and meat, but to meet the dosage recommended in the study, the supplement is likely the best way to go. Keep in mind, you should always consult your doctor before taking any new supplement.