There are many studies that have explored the association between fish consumption during pregnancy and favorable neonatal outcomes, although some have yielded conflicting results. Research that has addressed the issue in depth and led by the University of Rome Tor Vergata has received the cover of the international magazine ‘Nutrients’, thanks to a recent article entitled ‘Fish Consumption and DHA Supplementation during Pregnancy: Study of Gestational and Neonatal Outcomes’.
As highlighted in the study abstract – reports a note – the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists already recommends 2 or 3 servings of low-mercury fish per week for pregnant or breastfeeding women. However, fish can be a source of pollutants, such as methylmercury, which negatively affect neurological development. Conflicting studies on docosahexaenoic acid (Dha) supplementation exist in the literature, probably due to the different dosages of the supplements.
This investigation, which involved 501 women – the note details – examined the consumption of fish and the intake of these supplements in Dha capsules, in relation to the gestational and neonatal phase. In particular, 92.1% of the participants consumed fish on a weekly basis, with significant differences in gestational weight gain, birth weight and length of newborns compared to those who consumed fish more than 3 or 3 times a week , compared to non-consumers. This study supports the recommendation for pregnant women to include fish in their diet while limiting exposure to environmental pollutants. Omega-3 fatty acid supplements are recommended to obtain nutritional benefits without mercury risks.
“We studied the consumption of fish and the intake of Dha supplements with regards to gestational and neonatal outcomes in 501 women – comments Laura Di Renzo, full professor of Applied Dietetic Sciences and Techniques of the Department of Biomedicine and Prevention of the University of Rome Tor Vergata and research coordinator – Our findings support the current recommendation for pregnant women to include fish and seafood as part of a balanced diet, while limiting intake of species with high concentrations of environmental pollutants.”
The use of “n-3 or fish oil supplements appears to be safe – he adds – and offers the benefits of DHA and EPA without the risk of exposure to mercury and toxins; this exposure can otherwise lead to a loss of crucial nutrients in the fish which are essential for general human health. Future recommendations – concludes Di Renzo – should highlight the importance of increasing Dha intake during pregnancy, through a combination of fish consumption and Dha-containing supplements”.
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