Natural Pregnancy Project

I was looking around the web today and found this interesting article about how the levels of Omega-3 during pregnancy affecct children’s behavior and testing when they are older.

Chicago IL (PRWEB) February 15, 2008 — According to cumulative 2007 research, a child’s social behavior and academic abilities are influenced by a mother’s level of omega-3 during pregnancy. Three peer reviewed, notable studies published within the last 12 months used different methods, but arrived at similar conclusions.

Research has indicated that supplementing young children with omega-3s from fish oil improves children’s focus and behavior in school; these new studies report that the benefits of omega-3s begin much earlier and may be longer lasting. “In the research community, we’ve known for years that marine source omega-3 fats (e.g. DHA and EPA) are essential for normal infant development. These new studies show that the benefit of consuming omega-3s during pregnancy can positively influence a child’s development beyond infancy”, stated Gretchen Vannice, MS, RD, Manager of Scientific Affairs, NourishLife, LLC.

“This is critical information, because it is during pregnancy when most women eat less of the omega-3 rich foods, such as fish, over concerns of pollutants and toxins”, Vannice continued. Other preliminary studies suggest that benefits from omega-3 consumption during pregnancy continue into adulthood.

One study showed that greater DHA levels at birth were associated with higher quality motor function in the children at age 7 (Bakker et al, 2007). A groundbreaking study published last year (Hibbeln et al, 2007) in a population of nearly 12,000 pregnant women reported that the children of women who ate more than 3 servings of fish a week (an indicator of omega-3 intake) had better verbal IQ at age 7.

Finally, a study published last month (Dunstan, 2008) reported that children born of mothers who took fish oil supplements during pregnancy had better eye and hand coordination at age 2.5 years. “It’s not often that studies published within months of each other, using different methods, have similar findings. At the same time, we know the importance of omega-3s in human development and we know that Americans do not eat enough omega-3 in their diet. Should we be surprised by these findings?” asked Vannice.

Supplementing with high quality, concentrated and purified omega-3 fish oil supplements is a convenient way to get omega-3s during pregnancy. “The message is simple”, says Vannice, “if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, then supplement. The most important consideration is choosing a guaranteed, purified fish oil product.”

I knew fish oils were helpful and good for you, but I didn’t realize just how helpful. It also raises concerns for me too. We are told during pregnancy not to eat too much fish for fear of mercury contamination. This leaves us to use supplements I suppose to get enough omega-3 in our diets. Are all fish oil supplements the same? Are the cheap ones as good as the expensive ones?

I now have some questions I will be looking into and will come back and let you know what I find out. I’d love to hear from you all ~ are you taking fish oil supplements during pregnancy? How did you choose your supplement? Please leave comments below ~ I think this is a subject more women need to know about.

Also stop by the Natural Pregnancy and Childbirth Forum, we can continue the discussion there.

I received a recommendation from a reader to check out this video, I did and thought it was very interesting. In fact I liked it enough to share it with you all. Here it is:

[tags]omega-3 pregnancy, omega-3 behavior, fish oil during pregnancy, omega-3 studies[/tags]

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Good nutrition and your pregnancy diet is a key factor to a healthy pregnancy. This is no time to scrimp on calories or try to lose weight. Your body is doing some hard work and it needs the right fuel to get the job done! If you are going to Bradley classes you have been introduced to a great nutrition program for your pregnancy. If you aren’t attending Bradley Method classes you can pick up Dr. Brewer’s book The Brewer Medical Diet for Normal and High Risk Pregnancy. It is the diet Dr. Bradley recommends and the programs are virtually identical.

Let’s take a look at the Brewer Diet.

Protein is key in the Brewer Diet, as well as what you will learn in the Bradley Method. You need to be getting at least 100 grams of protein each day. You also need many other nutrients to help support your body as it makes this baby. If you follow the guidelines of either program you will have no problem getting all the necessary nutrients each day.

Daily servings:

4 Servings dairy

2 eggs

2 additional proteins

2 servings leafy greens

4 serving grains

1-2 fruits

Salt to taste

Drink to thirst

Additional foods each week.

Baked Potato 3 times/week

Orange Vegetable/fruit 5X/week

I know a lot of people are concerned about eating that many eggs. Don’t be. The egg is the perfect pregnancy food. It has so many necessary nutrients for a pregnant woman.

Eggs have:

• Protein - builds and maintains muscles.
• Vitamin A - important for eye sight.
• B vitamins - changes food into energy.
• Calcium - builds strong bones and teeth.
• Phosphorus - found in bones and teeth.
• Iron - carries oxygen to muscles.
• Zinc - helps body grow.

So don’t scrimp on the eggs. They are a key element in a pregnant woman’s diet.

How do you keep track of all this food?

I know when I saw all this food I was thinking how am I going to keep track of all the different foods and know what I’ve eaten and what I still needed to eat for the day. If you go to the Bradley Method website you will find a list of all the daily foods, as well as a protein counter. You can also download an excel version of the diet which will allow you to input your daily food as well as add up the protein for the day. This is the method I used and it worked well to keep me on track.

If you want a strong healthy placenta and baby you have to eat well. Each bite you put in your mouth is what your body uses to build your baby. Feed your body well.

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