Omega DHA

All of our vitamins are made in an FDA Registered and Inspected Facility, which meets or exceeds FDA 21 CFR 111 guidelines. Certificates of analysis are reported for every batch of manufactured vitamin to ensure final product integrity and quality. Our vitamins are free of artificial and synthetic dyes and all allergens are disclosed on our label. Additionally, our vitamins are manufactured under strict procedures to ensure there is no cross-contamination during manufacturing and storage.‡

Omega-3s are a class of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (FA) that are integral to the formation of neuronal cell membranes in the brain and retina. The human body cannot synthesize most omega-3s and instead must rely on dietary sources. 

There are three major omega-3 FAs: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Each FA has its own unique properties and health benefits, but DHA is the most critical during pregnancy. It is the primary structural component of the brain, including the cerebral cortex, the outer layer of the human brain that is responsible for higher-order cognitive behavior including speech, language, memory, personality, and decision-making. DHA intake is positively correlated with improved pregnancy outcomes, like full-term gestational length and healthy birth weight, as well as the on-time completion of developmental milestones post-birth. EPA intake is also correlated with improved heart health and cholesterol. ALA isn’t as important FA for supplementation, and there is little evidence that it is helpful.

Not all omega-3 FAs are created equally. Depending on the source of omega-3 FAs in a dietary supplement, the ratio of DHA, EPA, and ALA will be different. Omega-3s sourced from fish oil, like our Omega DHA, are highly enriched in DHA. Omega-3s from vegan sources, such as flaxseed oil, chia seed oil or walnut oil, do not contain DHA. Instead, they predominantly contain ALA, which isn’t useful during pregnancy. Always read the label, and check the DHA content of your omega-3 dietary supplement.^‡

DHA intake during pregnancy is critical for the development of the brain and retina and can only be acquired from dietary sources. Most prenatal DHA supplements with fish oil fall short of ACOG and APA’s recommendations of 200-300 mg of DHA daily during pregnancy and breastfeeding, barely making the 100 mg mark. Our Omega DHA meets the high end of those recommendations, with 300 mg of DHA per serving.^‡

The natural fish oil used in Omega DHA are sourced primarily from wild-caught, small, oily fish such as anchovies and sardines. These oils are molecularly distilled for purity and to remove heavy metals (including arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury), dioxins, and PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls). Additionally, these oils are tested for oxidation to ensure that they are compliant with the omega-3 specifications set forth by the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN).‡

Along with 88% of polled scientists, Natalist believes that the majority of genetically modified (GM) foods are safe. That said, we also believe that bioengineered ingredients should be clearly labeled so that consumers can make an informed purchase decision. Transparency is essential in building trust between brands and consumers. Our products clearly state if they do or do not contain genetically modified organisms (GMOs). If you have any other questions about how we source our ingredients, we encourage you to reach out at team@natalist.com.

Braarud, Hanne Cecilie, Maria Wik Markhus, Siv Skotheim, Kjell Morten Stormark, Livar Frøyland, Ingvild Eide Graff, and Marian Kjellevold. 2018. “Maternal DHA Status during Pregnancy Has a Positive Impact on Infant Problem Solving: A Norwegian Prospective Observation Study.” Nutrients 10 (5). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu10050529.

Carlson, Susan E., John Colombo, Byron J. Gajewski, Kathleen M. Gustafson, David Mundy, John Yeast, Michael K. Georgieff, Lisa A. Markley, Elizabeth H. Kerling, and D. Jill Shaddy. 2013. “DHA Supplementation and Pregnancy Outcomes.” The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 97 (4): 808–15.

Coletta, Jaclyn M., Stacey J. Bell, and Ashley S. Roman. 2010. “Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Pregnancy.” Reviews in Obstetrics and Gynecology 3 (4): 163–71.

Greenberg, James A., Stacey J. Bell, and Wendy Van Ausdal. 2008. “Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation during Pregnancy.” Reviews in Obstetrics and Gynecology 1 (4): 162–69.

Hoffman, Dennis R., Julia A. Boettcher, and Deborah A. Diersen-Schade. 2009. “Toward Optimizing Vision and Cognition in Term Infants by Dietary Docosahexaenoic and Arachidonic Acid Supplementation: A Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.” Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Essential Fatty Acids 81 (2-3): 151–58.

Lane, Katie, Emma Derbyshire, Weili Li, and Charles Brennan. 2014. “Bioavailability and Potential Uses of Vegetarian Sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids: A Review of the Literature.” Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 54 (5): 572–79.

Larqué, Elvira, Alfonso Gil-Sánchez, María Teresa Prieto-Sánchez, and Berthold Koletzko. 2012. “Omega 3 Fatty Acids, Gestation and Pregnancy Outcomes.” The British Journal of Nutrition 107 Suppl 2 (June): S77–84.

Nordgren, Tara M., Elizabeth Lyden, Ann Anderson-Berry, and Corrine Hanson. 2017. “Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intake of Pregnant Women and Women of Childbearing Age in the United States: Potential for Deficiency?” Nutrients 9 (3). 

Shireman, T. I., E. H. Kerling, B. J. Gajewski, J. Colombo, and S. E. Carlson. 2016. “Docosahexaenoic Acid Supplementation (DHA) and the Return on Investment for Pregnancy Outcomes.” Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Essential Fatty Acids 111 (August): 8–10.

Uauy, R., P. Mena, and C. Rojas. 2000. “Essential Fatty Acids in Early Life: Structural and Functional Role.” The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 59 (1): 3–15.

Wainwright, Patricia E. 2002. “Dietary Essential Fatty Acids and Brain Function: A Developmental Perspective on Mechanisms.” The Proceedings of the Nutrition Society 61 (1): 61–69.

Zhang, Zhiying, Victor L. Fulgoni, Penny M. Kris-Etherton, and Susan Hazels Mitmesser. 2018. “Dietary Intakes of EPA and DHA Omega-3 Fatty Acids among US Childbearing-Age and Pregnant Women: An Analysis of NHANES 2001-2014.” Nutrients 10 (4).

CONTAINS: Fish (Anchovy) This product is manufactured and packaged in a facility which may also process milk, soy, wheat, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and crustacean shellfish.