Did you know postpartum depression is a condition affecting an estimated 5-25% of mothers, right after or around the time of birth? There is no better estimate, because researchers believe that many women fail to report the symptoms, possibly due to embarrassment or concern about being stigmatized, considered a “bad” mother.
There is reason to believe that the cause of the condition, particularly when no depressive disorders were present prior to the pregnancy, may actually be inadequate nutritional intake. Hormonal changes have been blamed for the “baby blues” for many years. But, inadequate nutrient intake will also have a negative effect on hormones.
The body can only produce hormones when essential fatty acids are present in the diet. While most people in the US and other developed nations get enough omega-6 fatty acids, they do not get enough omega-3s.
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in walnuts, kiwi, olives and canola oil. They are found in other fats, as well, but not in very large amounts. Most fats provide more omega-6s than omega-3s.
Of all of the dietary sources, the best is fatty fish. Fatty fish also provide two unique omega-3s that are not present in other foods. One of those is DHA and low levels of DHA, specifically may be the underlying cause of postpartum depression.
Inadequate intake of the B vitamins, iron and calcium may also be a problem. There are plausible links between a lack of selenium and zinc, as well.
In general, a woman should take a good multi-nutritional supplement, whether she is pregnant or not. She should also take a good fish oil supplement, because that is the best source of DHA.
Low levels of DHA have been linked to a variety of depressive disorders and behavioral problems. The brain needs DHA to repair damage done to cells during the day. Not only could a DHA supplement reduce a woman’s risk of postpartum depression, it could insure that her baby’s brain develops properly.
It could reduce the child’s risk of developing allergies, asthma and attention deficit disorders in later life. But, it is absolutely essential for normal brain development in the fetus.
How the baby gets enough DHA when mom doesn’t get it in her diet is still a mystery. It is believed that the body converts ALA, a shorter omega-3 that is more abundant in the diet, to DHA and directs that to the developing fetus. High levels of DHA are known to be present in the umbilical cord, at birth. So, obviously the mother’s body is directing all of her nutritional reserves to the developing infant.
That could be the underlying cause of postpartum depression. It could make many women feel a lot better to know that it is not their fault for feeling sad or depressed after giving birth.
That’s one reason that researchers would like for all pregnant and recently pregnant women to know that some affordable dietary supplements, readily available in any drugstore or on the internet could be highly beneficial for postpartum depression. Since they are completely safe, there’s no reason not to try them. They could only help.
Laurel Cohen is a strong advocate of natural health in all its forms: skin care, supplementation, and farm fresh foods. She enjoys introducing people to the best natural products she can find and uses herself daily. Visit her site http://www.omega-3-for-health.com to learn about the omega 3 fish oils Laurel uses daily for optimal health. Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/supplements-and-vitamins-articles/how-to-help-postpartum-depression-1398577.html
