As any expecting mom knows, prenatal vitamins are an essential part of any healthy pregnancy.
But one thing you might not expect is the fishy smell that accompanies your prenatals. Is it normal? Yes! So why do prenatals smell like fish? Let’s take a look at what’s actually in those pills and why they have a fishy odor.
The Mystery of Fishy Prenatals Unveiled
Omega-3 fatty acids are critical ingredients in prenatal vitamins, as they help support brain development in babies during the first trimester.
The two types of omega-3 fatty acids commonly found in prenatals are alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). DHA is found in cold-water fish such as salmon and tuna, hence the fishy smell that comes from your prenatal vitamins.
DHA can also be derived from plants, but these sources generally produce lower amounts of this important nutrient than what can be extracted from fish, so most manufacturers opt for fish-derived DHA instead.
You’re Not Actually Eating Fish Oil
Don’t worry—you’re not actually consuming straight up fish oil when you take your prenatals! Instead, a process called molecular distillation is used to extract the nutrients from the oil while eliminating impurities like mercury or heavy metals that may be present in certain types of seafood.
This means that although your prenatal vitamins may smell like fish, you don’t have to worry about consuming any contaminants along with them.
So there you have it—the mystery behind why your prenatal vitamins smell like fish has been solved!
In short, omega-3 fatty acids are an essential nutrient for pregnant women and their developing babies, so most manufacturers choose to use the more concentrated form found in cold water fish rather than plant sources for their prenatals.
And thanks to molecular distillation techniques, you don't have to worry about consuming contaminants along with them!
So if your prenatals have a strong “fishy” scent next time you pop one open—don't panic! It's just another sign that you're taking great care of yourself (and baby!) during this amazing journey into motherhood.
We hope this report has given you the information you were looking for. Another type of prenatal vitamin you can use is liquid form prenatal vitamins which are a lot less fishy smelling along with being so much easier to take.
So if you're in the market to find the best liquid prenatal vitamins to help you and your baby get the essential nutrients that you both need during pregnancy, click the link below to find our top picks.
Thanks for reading and good luck with your happy healthy pregnancy!
