A new study suggests that eating fish during pregnancy may lower your child’s risk of being diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder by up to 20 percent. It also may slightly reduce the child’s autism-related traits. However, taking fish oil supplements (omega-3) did not have the same effect.
Fish is a major source of omega-3 fatty acids, an essential nutrient during pregnancy, which is important for the mother’s health and the child’s neurodevelopment. Omega-3 is necessary for the proper functioning of body organs such as the heart, brain, and eyes. It can be obtained from fish, walnuts, flaxseed, and leafy greens.
“This study provides additional evidence of the safety and benefits of regular fish consumption during pregnancy,” said Dr. Emily Oken, a co-author of the study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and a professor at Harvard Medical School and Pilgrim Health Care Research Institute. “Other proven benefits include a reduced risk of premature birth and improved cognitive development.”
Pregnant women are advised to consume about 227 to 340 grams (2 to 3 servings) of seafood with low mercury (methyl mercury) content per week to help the brain development of the fetus. Low-mercury fish include salmon, mackerel, sea bass, cod, and shrimp. It is better to avoid eating raw tuna (bluefin tuna). However, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has data showing that skipjack tuna, the raw material for canned tuna, has methyl mercury content that is absorbed into the body at one-tenth of that of bluefin tuna, so you can eat it with confidence.
Researchers at the AJ Drexel Autism Research Institute at Drexel University in Philadelphia, who led the study, analyzed data from nearly 4,000 women to determine whether fish consumption and supplement use were associated with autism-related neurodevelopment. About 1,377 women (about 34%) reported not eating any fish during pregnancy, and between 65% and 85% reported not taking omega-3 or other fish oil supplements.
The researchers looked at the association between pregnant women’s fish intake and omega-3 supplement use and their autism diagnosis and development of autistic traits.
As a result, it was found that consuming fish during pregnancy reduced the risk of the child being diagnosed with autism by up to 20%. This was consistent across all levels of fish consumption, from “any fish consumption” to “more than twice a week.”
However, no significant association was found between taking omega-3 fatty acid supplements and autism diagnosis.
Experts recommend increasing your intake of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy. Fish is a major source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for fetal brain development.
There are other benefits, too. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says there is strong evidence that eating fish during pregnancy improves heart and bone health, reduces the risk of the child being overweight or obese, and reduces the risk of colon and rectal cancer.
Reporter Park Hae-sik, Donga.com [email protected]
-
- great
- 0dog
-
- I’m sad
- 0dog
-
- I’m angry
- 0dog
-
- I recommend it
- dog
Hot news right now
2024-09-06 17:05:34