Why mother and baby need fatty acids

Equazen developed mumomega to deliver the exact structural fatty acids required at a crucial time of life: before, during and after pregnancy. We all have a requirement for long-chain fatty acids, but a lot of research is showing that the particular fatty acids DHA and AA are needed as building blocks for the cells that make up the eye and brain during pregnancy. So it is vital that pregnant women have an adequate input from their diet.

As the best dietary source of these fatty acids is oily fish, issues of safety, cost and convenience make mumomega a wise choice to ensure a proper intake. The omega-3 and omega-6 oils  used in this formulation are of exceptional purity, so you can take the supplement in the knowledge that you are only putting goodness into your system.

Expecting mothers need to be fastidious about their fatty acid input, not only for babies, but for themselves. Mother Nature gives the baby priority, and it effectively treats mother's brain as a food source, stripping away structural fatty acids, which are then carried across the placenta to help grow the baby's brain. This entirely natural process can result in the maternal brain shrinking by up to 3% during pregnancy. Clearly, it is prudent at this important time to ensure a proper intake of essential fatty acids, which is where a particularly pure formulation as mumomega may be considered.

The formulation is based on extensive research into the role of fatty acids in neuro-development. About 20% of the dry weight of the brain is made up of long chain fatty acids, the majority being omega-3 DHA, and to a lesser degree omega-6 AA. These nutrients can only be supplied from the diet. It is particularly important that these long chain fatty acids are in constant supply during the third trimester of pregnancy, and the first two years of a child's life: the times when brain growth is most rapid.

One must ensure mother takes enough AA and DHA during pregnancy, and after, when the child is hopefully being breastfed. mumomega essentially delivers what are the beneficial elements of human milk.

Of particular interest is the fact that organisations such as the Department of Health and the British Nutrition Foundation recommend we all eat more fish – at least two portions a week, of which one should be oily fish like salmon or mackerel. The main reason for this is because in addition to being an excellent low-fat protein source, oily fish is also rich in long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. In particular, the structural fatty acids play a vital role in the ‘nutritional preparation’ for pregnancy, since a diet that includes these can have positive outcomes for the developing baby and the expectant or breastfeeding mother. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) also recommends that we should all eat at least two portions of fish a week. They also say: ‘Girls and women who might have a baby one day, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, should eat no more than two portions of oily fish a week. Other women, men and boys, can eat up to four portions of oily fish.’

Before conception ....

One always needs essential fatty acids, but certainly if you are a mother planning to have a baby, it is imperative you make sure you are getting enough of these vital nutrients. Taking just 1 capsule a day will ensure that your cell membranes are reasonably stocked, and that you are getting your nutritional 'home' in order. Taking mumomega is even more important if this is a subsequent pregnancy: previous deliveries may have taken away lots of fatty acids, so you need to make sure you are well replenished.

..... during pregnancy ....

The requirement is of course greater after conception, and as an expecting mother you should be taking at least 1 capsule a day. The baby's demands for DHA and AA are higher during the 3rd trimester, which is a time of rapid brain growth, and so this could be a time to increase intake to a maximum of three capsules a day. 

..... and after delivery.

And you do not need to stop taking mumomega after delivery. Firstly, if you are breastfeeding, then you will want to ensure there is enough DHA and AA in your milk your newborn baby, whose requirements for structural fatty acids are just as great after delivery. Secondly, giving birth is typically a cause of fatty acid depletion for a mother. On average, it takes around 26 weeks to replenish the fatty acids lost during pregnancy. Consequently, subsequent babies are at greater risk of not having sufficient DHA and AA for optimal brain and eye development. It is therefore important for women to monitor their fatty acid intake to also ensure an adequate supply for any future children.

Typical Nutrition Information: mumomega 

Per one capsule (750 mg) 

• DHA  300 mg 
• EPA     42 mg 
• AA      8.4 mg
• DPA    8.4 mg 
• GLA     15 mg
• Vit E    2.8 mg (28% RDA)

Equazen is a specialist supplier of highest quality omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, our philosophy is to only use the highest grade natural-form oils. mumomega will give you long-chain fatty acids and natural antioxidants, but the formulation is otherwise free of any additives, flavourings or synthetic compounds. Crucially, we only use natural-form oils: synthetic concentrates are not employed, as these manipulated substances are in a form that is less suitable for the body to absorb. The omega-3 fish oil has been concentrated, but our unique process involves deconstructing the fatty acids, and then reassembling them into natural form triglycerides.

Pharmaceutical-grade Omega-3 Fish Oil

• The source of our omega-3 fish oil is tuna from the unpolluted southern oceans, which provide a particularly high level of DHA
• The oil is concentrated using molecular distillation, leaving it in a free fatty acid form
• Any pollutants, impurities and volatiles are effectively eliminated during this process
• The oil is then chilled and filtered, allowing removal of any excess saturated fats, and resulting in a pure clear oil
• The free fatty acids are rebuilt into triglycerides, the most bio-available form, allowing maximum efficacy and absorption
• The oil is 70% omega-3 fatty acids, the majority being DHA, a key structural fatty acid that is part of the membranes of brain cells
• The oil has an elevated level of AA, a structural fatty acid that like DHA is a crucial building block for brain cells
• The oil has an elevated level of DPA, a 'link' fatty acid between EPA and DHA

Virgin-pressed organic Omega-6 Evening Primrose Oil

• We source organic seed in full compliance with EU/WHO regulations with respect to chemicals, pesticides or any other harmful residues
• The sourced seed - already an oil of unrivalled purity - is then cleaned to ensure no foreign elements are present during extraction
• The seed is extracted using a special mechanical press that ensures the oil is protected from heat, light or oxygen. No solvents are used during extraction
• The resulting oil is then filtered once to take out seed debris, but is otherwise left in its purest natural form, ensuring that various positive elements such as anti-oxidants are retained
• The oil gives a particularly pure source of GLA, which is known to play a role in maintaining hormonal balance. It can also metabolise into structural AA

The omega-3 and omega-6 oils are then encapsulated at a pharmaceutical-grade facility.

Analysis at an independent laboratory proves that each batch of mumomega, with regards to environmental toxins such as dioxins, PCBs and mercury, is in full compliance with stringent EU/WHO regulations. Our processing to eliminate any potential toxicity ensures we are delivering oils that present no risk to mother or baby.