“[T]he DHA content of breast milk was the single best predictor of math test performance.” (Dr. Gaulin to The USCB Current) An astonishing article was recently published in the journal Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes, and Essential Fatty Acids. The research looked at socioeconomic factors, youth test scores, and the average concentrations of omega fatty acids in breast milk across 28 countries. The results are astounding. Dr. Gaulin, one of the two authors of the article, spoke with The USCB Current about the results. Their article is definitely worth a read!

TriCare Prenatal DHA ONE contains purification of fish oil utilizing a patented system known as EPAX®. Following is a summary of this system. Starting Material - crude fish oils are analyzed and controlled for pesticides and heavy metals before they are accepted. ↓ Deacidification - free fatty acids are removed as sodium soaps by mixing with aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. The sodium soaps are removed in a separator, washed with water and continuously dried under vacuum at a temperature not exceeding 100 degrees C. ↓ Stripping - pollutants are removed in a distillation unit running with a patented process. The [...]

Follow us on twitter @bestprenatal. We want to keep everyone informed on new and informative issues concerning pregnancy.

We are often asked if TriCare Prenatal DHA ONE is suitable for consumption by people who follow certain culturally centered dietary restrictions. This mostly applies to those who adhere to Jewish Law (kosher) and Islamic Law (halal). While DHA ONE is not certified under either of these religious systems, it is both kosher and halal compliant. There are no pork or pork-derived ingredients in DHA ONE, and it contains no alcohol. The sourcing and handling of all animal-derived ingredients fits the requirements of both sets of religious practices. In particular, the gelatin material used in the softgel shell for DHA [...]

Pregnancy sickness is a common condition that affects over half of pregnant women. It is usually referred to as morning sickness, but this is not an entirely accurate designation since it can occur at any time during the day. Nausea and vomiting may be one of the first signs of pregnancy. Pregnancy sickness is thought to be mainly due to changes in hormone levels and balances. It typically begins around the 4th to 6th week of pregnancy and in most instances resolves by the 12th to 16th week, but can persist throughout pregnancy. In about 1% of pregnancies there is [...]

It is clearly important to have a good spectrum of vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial nutrients such as the omega-3 fatty acid DHA in a prenatal vitamin formula. Beyond that, in the case of certain vitamins, having them in the right form also matters. While a casual look at the ingredient list may indicate a very good formula, a closer and more informed inspection can reveal some significant shortcomings. A good case in point is vitamin E. Some prenatal formulas will incorporate the commonly used (and less expensive) synthetic form of vitamin E, which is dl-alpha-tocopherol. The “dl” is the [...]

In the last blog I mentioned one of, if not the, best systems for purification of fish oil, a patented system known as EPAX®. Following is a summary of this system. Starting Material – crude fish oils are analyzed and controlled for pesticides and heavy metals before they are accepted. ↓ Deacidification – free fatty acids are removed as sodium soaps by mixing with aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. The sodium soaps are removed in a separator, washed with water and continuously dried under vacuum at a temperature not exceeding 100 degrees C. ↓ Stripping – pollutants are removed in a [...]

There are a number of legitimate concerns about including fish oil derivatives in a prenatal vitamin product. Heavy metal contaminants such as mercury, and chemical contaminants such as dioxin and PCB’s can have seriously adverse effects on a developing child, particularly with regard to the nervous system. There are, however, a number of steps that can be taken to virtually eliminate the presence of contaminants in fish oil material. For starters, crude fish oils can be checked for heavy metal and pesticide content, and only those with levels below accepted safety standards accepted for further processing. One of the best [...]

The previous blog contained 2 charts outlining various food sources of calcium, with the amount of calcium per standard serving of each food source. The chart for non-dairy food sources of calcium states that bioavailability (ability to absorb and utilize in the body) may vary. One of the most significant factors that can reduce the bioavailability of calcium is the presence of iron. When both minerals are present, calcium binds to iron, creating a complex that is poorly absorbed and tends to constipate. The amounts of both iron and calcium absorbed are reduced in this situation, to the detriment of [...]

As mentioned in the previous blog, calcium is best obtained from food sources and there are many good food sources of calcium which women should focus on including in their diets while pregnant or lactating. The very best sources are dairy products, including milk, cheeses, yogurt, puddings, and creamy soups. Non-dairy sources include green vegetables (broccoli, spinach, greens, and others), seafood, and dried peas and beans. The following tables published by the USDA outline food sources of calcium and its amounts in standard serving sizes. Dairy Food Sources of Calcium Food Sources of Calcium ranked by milligrams of calcium per [...]