Research from the University of Western Australia is showing that fish oil — which is full of omega-3 fatty acids — is good for both mothers AND their babies. Mothers who include a fish oil supplement during pregnancy may be improving baby’s hand-eye coordination and brain development.
Fish oil supplements may be even better than olive oil for providing long chain omega-3 fatty acids! Healthy pregnant women who participated in the study were divided into two groups. One group took four grams of fish oil daily; the second group took four grams of olive oil supplements daily. The women started taking the supplements in the twentieth week of pregnancy and continued until delivery.
The toddlers were tested two and a half years later. Researchers tested the children for language, hand-eye coordination, and other skills. The children of mothers who took fish oil supplements scored significantly higher on hand-eye coordination tests than the children of mothers who took olive oil supplements. In tests of language skills and growth, there were no significant differences between the two groups.
Researchers believe that omega-3 fatty acids — like those found in fish and fish oil supplements — are essential for normal brain and vision development. The University of Western Australia study also found that high levels of omega-3 fatty acids in cord blood samples was associated with good hand-eye coordination in children.
Eating plenty of fish can help you get the same omega-3 fatty acids. But if you are concerned about the mercury content in certain types of fish, you can get the same fatty acids from fish oil supplements. This study from the University of Western Australia suggests that it is safe for women to take fish oil supplements during the second half of pregnancy. Effects of the supplements on neurological development will be studied further, but seem to be beneficial.
Read more about healthy supplements.
Everything you need to know about pregnancy.
More about omega-3 fatty acids.