By: Vaishnavi Raju | Date: February 24, 2021
How Omega 3 DHA Can Strengthen Your Baby’s Immune System
"Omega 3 DHA is important to strengthening a baby’s immune system".
Childhood asthma, also known as pediatric asthma, is the most common serious chronic disease in young children. It causes the child’s lungs and airways to get inflamed, especially when they are surrounded by triggers like pollen. Asthma can make it hard for your child to do everyday activities and live a normal life. It can also result in numerous trips to the hospital. However, studies have found that certain types of omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of a child developing asthma. Read on to know more about Omega 3 DHA and its role in strengthening a baby’s immune system.
What Is Omega DHA?
Omega-3s are fatty acids that are essential for the body and have many health benefits.
There are three kinds of omega-3 fatty acids:
- EPA – Eicosapentaenoic Acid
- DHA – Docosahexaenoic Acid
- ALA – Alpha-linolenic Acid
Omega 3 DHA is found in every cell in our bodies. It is needed for a healthy heart and nervous system. It also helps in brain and cognitive functioning, healthy skin, hair, and building immune system response.
DHA is naturally produced in small quantities in our bodies. But this is not adequate for our dietary requirements. Therefore, DHA needs to be taken in through DHA Omega 3 foods. This includes cold-water fish, grass-fed meat, dairy, or omega-3 enriched eggs. Omega 3 DHA is also available as supplements.
How Omega-3s Can Help Asthma In Infants?
In recent times, studies have shown that Omega 3 DHA supplements given to mothers during pregnancy or lactation have a protective impact on asthma or wheezing or other allergic outcomes during infancy or childhood. Along with reduced in asthma severity, the studies also reported reduced allergic sensitization and prevalence of cough.
There are many theories to explain this anti-inflammatory effect of Omega 3 DHA. According to research, the substances present in maternal tissue or breast milk or even biochemical process during secretion of breast milk might be responsible for this anti-inflammatory effect.
Common Symptoms Of Childhood Asthma
Childhood asthma is similar to adult asthma. However, since children have a smaller airway compared to adults, it makes asthma a serious illness for them. Asthma in children is a leading cause of emergency hospital visits and missed school days.
Some symptoms of childhood asthma include:
- Constant coughing that is made worse by viral infections
- Frequent coughing spells, especially at night, in cold air, or while laughing or crying
- Difficulty sleeping because of cough or breathing problems
- A wheezing or whistling sound when the child exhales
- Shortness of breath or rapid breathing, especially when exercising, physical activity or triggered by cold air, laughing or crying
- Chest tightness or congestion
- A retraction or seesaw motions in the chest
- Fatigue which inhibits the child from playing
- Problems feeding or grunting during feeding for infants
It is important to remember that diagnosing childhood asthma can be difficult. This is because; children will often go symptom free for long periods before having an asthma attack. Often children cannot explain the symptoms and sometimes, the symptoms of asthma can be confused with those of other respiratory diseases in kids.
Risk Factors For Developing Childhood Asthma
The risk factors for developing childhood asthma include:
- Family history or parental history of asthma or allergies
- Exposure to tobacco or cigarettes including before birth
- Previous allergic reactions
- A family history of asthma or allergies
- Living in an area with high pollution
- Living in a low income, urban environment
- Low birth weight
Omega DHA Supplements For Infants
For babies, breast milk contains omega-3 fatty acids, including Docosahexanoic acid (DHA). They help the infant’s developing immune system and prevent childhood asthma. However, the content of DHA in breast milk depends on the mother’s diet. Therefore, it is important for pregnant women to have a diet rich in Omega-3 DHA or to take regular Omega-3 supplements.
Hera’s Smart Baby Enhancer range of prenatal vitamins contains omega DHA in the correct dosages to bridge any gaps in nutrition during pregnancy.
You can easily buy it from here: Smart Baby Enhancer
Hera Pro Tip: Omega 3 DHA supplements help in the development of the baby’s brain, spinal cord and eyes. They also protects against birth complications.
How Omega DHA can strengthen Baby’s Immune system?
Omega-3 fatty acids get incorporated into the cell membrane of immune cells, and many other cells. They are metabolized to Eicosanoids, which are signalling molecules that help control inflammation and build immunity for the baby.
Studies have proven that Omega 3 DHA supplementation during pregnancy decreases the occurrence of colds in children. Having adequate Omega 3 DHA during pregnancy has been medically proven to reduce the risk of allergies in infants. It has a positive influence on immune development in babies.
The bottom line,
During pregnancy, the mother needs to prepare her body with vital nutrients so that she can have a healthy baby. Besides taking prenatal vitamin regularly, expectant mothers must also include prenatal Omega 3 DHA supplements into their daily regime. Hera’s Smart Baby Enhancer with Omega 3 DHA is necessary for a healthy baby with a strong immune response.
