Written by Jessica Patella, ND. Of the 89 participating postpartum mothers, those who supplemented with 200 or 400 mg of DHA for 6 weeks had significantly greater DHA levels of breast milk than the placebo group. (154% increase in DHA breast milk levels in the high DHA group.) After 6 weeks of supplementation, maternal DHA blood levels increased 71% in the low dose and 101% in the high dose groups compared to the placebo.
Docosahexaenoic acid, more commonly known as DHA, is a popular omega-3 fatty acid in pregnancy and lactation because it is essential for brain growth and development (1, 2). DHA is the primary fatty acid in the brain and deficiency has been linked to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (2). In the first 6 months of life, the infant brain will double in weight; this is also the time when exclusive breast feeding is recommended (3, 4).
Recent research has shown that lactating women who supplemented with DHA had increased DHA levels in breast milk and improved the fatty acid ratio in their infants (1). The research involved 89 mothers who delivered full-term infants and were 4-6 weeks postpartum. Participants were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups:
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- Placebo group (2 placebo capsules),
- Low dose DHA group (1 capsule 200 mg DHA, 1 placebo capsule)
- High dose DHA group (2 capsules of 200mg DHA = 400mg total) (1)
After 6 weeks of supplementation with the low or high dose of DHA, breast milk levels of DHA were significantly greater than with placebo (p<0.0001). In the high dose DHA group there was a 29% increase in breast milk levels of DHA compared to the low dose DHA (p<0.0005). In the high dose DHA group there was a 154% increase in breast milk DHA from baseline to week six (1). After 6 weeks of supplementation, maternal blood levels of DHA increased by 71% in the low dose group and 101% in the high dose group (1), compared with placebo:
| DHA levels (mg/dl) | Placebo (n=27) | Low dose (n=29) | High dose (n=26) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseline | 3.82 +/- 0.26 | 4.13 +/- 0.19 | 3.50 +/- 0.16 |
| 6 Weeks | 2.98 +/- 0.17 | 5.09 +/- 0.27 | 5.99 +/- 0.32 |
When comparing omega-3 fatty acids to omega-6 fatty acids, there is a greater health benefit from having higher omega-3 levels. The lower the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3, the greater the improvement in health and some research indicates it can also benefit learning and memory (5). Infants in the low dose DHA group had a 40% lower omega-6-to-omega-3 ratio and the high dose DHA group had a 51% lower ratio compared to placebo, showing improved omega-3 status.
In conclusion, supplementing with DHA in lactating women increases breast milk and maternal DHA levels. It also greatly improves the fatty acid ratio in infants, which is important for brain development (1). Future research should include a long-range study of the cognitive impact of the DHA supplementation during pregnancy and lactation on infants and children (1).
Source: Sherry, C. L., J. S. Oliver, and B. J. Marriage. “Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in lactating women increases breast milk and plasma docosahexaenoic acid concentrations and alters infant omega 6: 3 fatty acid ratio.” Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids (PLEFA) 95 (2015): 63-69.
© 2014 American Society for Nutrition.
Posted April 27, 2015.
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.
References:
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- Sherry CL, et al. Docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in lactating women increases breast milk and plasma docosahexaenoic acid concentrations and alters infant omega 6:3 fatty acid ratio. Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids 95 (2015) 63-69.
- Horrocks LA, Yeo YK. Health Benefits of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Pharmacol Res. 1999 Sep; 40(3):211-25.
- Dekaban, A. S. and Sadowsky, D. (1978), Changes in brain weights during the span of human life: Relation of brain weights to body heights and body weights. Ann Neurol., 4: 345–356. doi: 10.1002/ana.410040410
- A.I.Eidelman,R.J.Schandler,Breastfeeding and the use of human milk, Pediatrics 129(2012)e827–e841.
- S. Yehuda, R.L.Carasso. Modulation of learning, pain thresholds, and thermoregulation in the rat by preparations of free purified alpha-linolenic and linoleum acids: determination of the optimal omega3-to-omega6 ratio. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90(1993)10345–10349.
