Heather writes:
" Does anyone know of solid research on DHA supplements taken during pregnancy or breastfeeding? I am now in a research class for graduate school and I am going to focus my entire semester on breastfeeding related research."

Heather,
I have been concerned ever since Valerie posted about the source of the algae-based DHA (Martek). But, when I heard Michel Odent at an all-day seminar when I was pregnant with my youngest (he has just turned 4), I followed his advice and took DHA and told my 2 pregnant friends to do the same. It was the first pregnancy where I didn't feel forgetful, nor did I after his birth--as I continued to take it. My friends and I noticed remarkable differences in our babies and ourselves from our past pregnancies (3rd for each of us).

I am torn b/c of the Martek issue, as I do believe DHA is essential to our babies and I have read in various sources that Western women have the lowest levels in their breastmilk of any women studied (my DHA-deficient mind doesn't remember the specific countries).

It is my opinion that we are going to have to stop worrying about defending human milk so hard that we keep our heads buried in the sand on the issue of EFA's. There is nothing to be gained by ignoring the fact that many Western diets are deficient in a great many nutrients (well-fed does not mean well-nourished). It is not a condemnation of bf'ing, but rather a wake-up call as to what is possible for our children.
Jennifer Tow, IBCLC, CT, USA

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