Probiotics and fish oil for a healthy pregnancy

Fish has been known to help cure a variety of ailments. Not only does omega-3, found in certain foods like fish and flaxseed, help reduce inflammation and even depression but it also protects against heart disease and even cancer. The best fish oil can be obtained from supplements and fatty fish like salmon, tuna and halibut. Oil from fish has also been known to benefit pregnant mothers and their infants so there’s all the more reason for you to incorporate it in your diet.

Along with fish, another healthy type of food is that which contain probiotics. These are live microorganisms thought to benefit the host. They are found in yoghurt, soy yoghurt and dietary supplements. They help the digestive system by eliminating harmful bacteria that live in intestines while promoting the growth of good bacteria. While probiotics healthy effects on pregnant mothers are debated by experts, it’s a known fact that as they help in digestion, expectant mothers stand to benefit as many experience discomfort in their digestive tract during pregnancy.

When it comes to searching for the best fish oil, try to choose those fish that are not high up on the food chain. It is believed that many of them contain higher mercury levels as well as dioxin and chlordane. So your best bet is to choose fatty fish that are lower down the chain to get the most out of omega-3. The benefits of fish oil to mothers include lower risk of post partum depression or PPD, reduced breast cancer risk, less chance of developing pre-eclampsia and lower chance of pre-term labor. Benefits for the baby include better sleep patterns, better eyesight and better nervous system development.

Ensuring good health all comes down to eating certain foods while avoiding others, exercising regularly, quitting tobacco and drinking in moderation. As clichéd as they may sound, they have been tried and tested over the centuries and are here to stay. Following these simple rules of living will go a long way in ensuring that your baby is born healthy while you, as the mother, don’t suffer complications. Such foods also benefit those who aren’t necessarily expectant mothers, like men. And remember, it’s always better to prevent than to cure as it costs less and benefits more.