Seafood is best for baby's brain
January 23, 2006 Edition 1
Daily Mail
Eating fish during pregnancy can boost the child's brain power and social skills, scientists have revealed. Mothers-to-be who consume fish such as mackerel and sardines can also help their children develop better co-ordination.
The benefits of eating fish - an important source of omega-3 fatty acids - have been known for some time. But analysis of more than 14 000 mothers and their children suggests they are even more important than previously realised.
The research was carried out by Dr Joseph Hibbeln from America's National Institute of Health. He found that the children of women who had eaten the smallest amounts of omega-3 during their pregnancies had verbal IQs six points lower than average as well as poorer fine-motor skills, such as the ability to handle small objects, and poorer hand-to-eye co-ordination.
Low intakes of omega-3 also led to more problems of social interaction, such as the inability to make friends. According to Dr Hibbeln, 14% of those 7-year-olds whose mothers had the lowest intake of omega-3 during pregnancy demonstrated this behavioural problem.
This compared with just 8% of those born to the highest intake group. He described the results as "frightening". The research, revealed in the latest issue of the Economist, looked at data from a 2003 study set up by the University of Bristol.
The findings follow a study last April which found that women who eat oily fish during pregnancy could be protecting their daughters against breast cancer.
Researchers at the Louisiana State University said it could help cut the chances of developing the disease later in life. Elaine Hardman, who led the research, said at the time that a few servings a week would be enough.
Oily fish has also been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease.
And research published last month showed it could also help in the fight against cancer by providing a large dose of vitamin D.
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in salmon, tuna and mackerel, flaxseed oils, soy beans and nuts.
Current advice from the Food Standards Agency advises pregnant and breastfeeding women to eat one to two portions of oily fish a week. However, it warns pregnant women against eating marlin, shark and swordfish, which contain high levels of mercury, which can affect the baby's nervous system.
Advice on the benefits of oily fish has, at times, been contradicted by warnings over toxic chemicals in the fish. A furore erupted in 2004 when a report from US scientists claimed European farmed salmon was a serious health risk because of the chemicals farmers used to keep sea lice from their stock. Dioxins and PCBs are found in farmed salmon, but wild fish also contain mercury.
