Fish Oil

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Fish oil during pregnancy could boost baby's coordination

By JENNY HOPE, Medical Correspondent

Last updated at 22:00pm on 20th December 2006

Taking fish oil during pregnancy could boost your baby's coordination

- and help you ward off post-natal depression.

Women who take high doses of fish oils during pregnancy could

dramatically boost their children's coordination, say researchers.

A new study reveals the benefits of using so-called " clever capsules "

to help develop the full potential of babies while still in the womb

It found a significant advance in hand-eye coordination among toddlers

whose mothers took fish oil supplements during the second half of

pregnancy compared with those who did not.

There was also improvement in brainpower and vocabulary among children

exposed to fish oil supplements in the womb, says the study published

on Thursday online in the medical journal Archives of Disease in

Childhood.

It is the latest evidence to highlight how omega 3 fatty acids found

in fish oils can enhance children's development.

Omega 3 fatty acids play an important part in the development of the

central nervous system.

The last three months of pregnancy are thought to be a key time for

intake of fish oil because there is a growth spurt in the human brain

during this time, which carries on into the first few months of a

baby's life.

Other research suggests cod liver oil taken during pregnancy may

increase birthweight and reduce the risk of the baby developing type 1

diabetes.

But as well as immediate benefits to the child, studies show fish oils

can help mums-to-be in a number of ways, including reducing high blood

pressure and easing post-natal depression.

The latest study from the University of Western Australia looked at 98

pregnant women, who were either given 4g of fish oil supplements or 4g

of olive oil supplements daily from 20 weeks of pregnancy to the bith

of their babies.

When the children reached the age of two and a half, they were given

various tests measuring growth and development.

Children whose mothers had taken fish oil supplements scored

significantly higher in hand-eye coordination than those whose mothers

had taken olive oil supplements.

Fish oil children also scored more highly on comprehension, phrase

length and vocabulary - even after allowing for factors such as the

age of the mother and breastfeeding.

Only non-smokers and those who did not routinely eat more than two

weekly portions of fish were included in the study.

Professor Prescott, who led the study, said: " These preliminary

data indicate that supplementation with a relatively high-dose fish

oil during the last 20 weeks of pregnancy is not only safe but also

seems to have potential beneficial effects that need to be explored

further " .

Concern over the mercury content in certain types of fish means high

quality fish oil supplements have become increasingly popular.

The Food Standards Agency's most recent advice is that pregnant and

breast-feeding women should eat one or two portions of oily fish a

week, avoiding those with high mercury content such as swordfish.

The latest research comes amid calls for free fish oil supplements to

be given to schoolchildren, as trials suggest they can benefit those

with behavioural problems as well as improving performance.

Dr , director of the Food and Behavioural Research

charity and author of " They Are What Your Feed Them " about fish oils,

carried out groundbreaking research using them to help pupils with

learning and other difficulties.

She said, " I'm not at all surprised by the findings, which demonstrate

the benefits of omega 3 fatty acids to the developing brain.

" Pregnant women have been scared off eating fish because of the

mercury risks but they can take high quality capsules if they are

concerned.

" Omega 3 is vital at all stages of life. There is international proof

of the benefits for people with heart conditions and we are heading

that way with studies on children's learning and behaviour. "

In heart disease, patients are recommended to take a 1g fish oil

capsule a day - four times less than the study.

London GP Dr Jarvis, chairman of International Cod Liver Omega 3

Foundation, said there was no doubt that few Britons were eating

enough fish, including pregnant women, and supplements were a good

substitute.

She said, " The evidence is very good for the effects of omega 3 on the

developing brain but I would caution against the very high doses used

in this study. I believe you would still get benefits from lower

doses. "

Dr Pamela Mason, on behalf of the UK Health Supplements Information

Service, said: " This is an exciting and interesting study because it

is the first to look at the effect, and show benefits, of high dose

fish oil in the second half of pregnancy on the child's eye and hand

co-ordination.

" But I would recommend that pregnant women who want to try this dose

should consult their doctor first.

" What is clear, however, is that omega 3s are essential in pregnancy

for the mother and the child and average UK intake is less than half

the recommended levels, " she added.

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