Infants at risk

[HysteryDiagnosis]

March 10, 2008

Typical American diet short on omega-3 fatty acids

The March, 2008 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that the typical North American diet fails to provide adequate amounts of omega-3 fatty acids, leaving infants at risk of impaired neurological development.

Sheila M. Innes and Russell W. Friesen of the University of British Columbia in Vancouver assigned 135 pregnant women to a placebo or a daily omega-3 fatty acid supplement equivalent to two fatty fish meals per week, beginning with their 16th week of gestation until delivery. The women's blood was tested for levels of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) at the 16th and 36th weeks. DHA plays an important role in brain and eye function, and is essential for the neurological development of unborn children.

Following their birth, the infants were evaluated for neurological maturity using vision tests. The investigators discovered that women who consumed large quantities of meat and low amounts of fish had omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies. Children of these women failed to perform as well on the eye tests as infants born to mothers who were not deficient. The duo plans to follow the development of the children until they are four years old.

“Omega 3 fatty acids are important for the baby’s developing eyes and brain,” explained Dr Innis, who is a professor at the University of British Columbia's department of pediatrics. “During pregnancy and breastfeeding, fat consumed by the mum is transferred to the developing baby and breastfed infant, and this fat is important for the baby’s developing organs. Our next task is to find out why the typical North American diet puts mothers at risk. Then we can develop dietary recommendations to help women consume a nutritious diet that promotes optimal health for mums and babies.”

—D Dye

[TexasBushwhacker]

1. True but ....

since mercury is often found in some fish that are also high in Omega-3's (especially shark, swordfish, tilefish & king mackeral) pregnant women should be sure to limit their fish consumption to fish that are high in Omega 3's, but not especially high in mercury, including salmon, herring and sardines. They can also take fish oil supplements, as they are processed to remove all mercury and other contaminants.

For anyone interested in taking fish oil supplements, I recommend Fisol. It has an enteric coating so that the capsule doesn't break down until it gets to your small intestine. No fishy burps! The capsules are a reasonable size too. Some fish oil capsules are really large.

[rucky]

2. Nordic is another good one.

The strawberry flavor has no fishy burps.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

3. Omega Smart MD at wally world has 14 times the DHA of most of

your other fish oil supplements... HJM (Hearts Joints and Minds) also at wallyworld has an appreciable amount of DHA, over 400mg. Many other supplements have around 20 to 30mg per daily issue. DHA is the magic stuff, so read your labels.