Any essential fatty acids absorbed.Posted on OP +Pregnancy forums

during OP would be of tremendous benefit for both mom and baby. EFA's are not produced by the body and must be obtained from food; a developing fetus totally depends on mom's food intake. Oils used for OP are the most nutritious, essential for life.

Below are links to two interesting websites that speak of absorbing efa's, specifically through the intestines. One touts fish oil as the superior source but mentions "...once in the body both omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids are bio chemically converted and control the body initially in two ways. First, they become incorporated into the cell membranes and secondly keep the cell membrane optimally fluid. If there are not enough omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, these cell walls will incorporate saturated fatty acids and other lipids and become less fluid. In fact, essential fatty acids are the major building blocks of cellular membranes surrounding every cell in the body...."
http://www.mind1st.co.uk/essentialfattyacids.asp


The second website concerns efa's in a vegan diet. However, a statement of special interest for pregnant OP'ers is "breast milks of vegans, vegetarians and omnivores contain differing proportions of various polyunsaturated fatty acids, and these differences are reflected in some body tissues of infants. It is not yet known what, if any, effect these variations may have on the growth and development of infants."

http://www.vegansociety.com/html/food/nutrition/e_fatty_acids.php


One other interesting site speaks of cell membranes, absorption, etc. Don't forget that just like the intestines, the cheeks, tongue, and gums are made of cell membranes.
"Endocytosis is the transport of materials into a cell"

http://www.biologymad.com/cells/cellmembrane.htm


one more reference concerning the importance of efa's

http://www.shirleys-wellness-cafe.com/flaxoilpreg.htm

"Recently it has been discovered that the Omega-3 fats are necessary for the complete development of the human brain during pregnancy and the first two years of life. The Omega-3 fat and its derivative, DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), is so essential to a child's development that if a mother and infant are deficient in it, the child's nervous system and immune system may never fully develop, and it can cause a lifetime of unexplained emotional, learning, and immune system disorders...Why lignan rich flaxoil? Emerging scientific evidence has begun to focus on another healing element found in the fibrous shell hull of the flaxseed. Special phytochemical constituents have been isolated in flax, that once ingested are converted to potent cancer fighting and preventative compounds called mammalian lignans."


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