Health Spirit Body

Menu
  • Home
  • Health
  • Weight Loss
  • Nutrition
Home
Health
Why Pregnant Woman Should Take Fish Oil Supplements Each Day
Health

Why Pregnant Woman Should Take Fish Oil Supplements Each Day

Don Patrick November 20, 2018

Taking daily fish oil supplements during pregnancy can slash chances of a premature birth by up to 42 percent, a major review has found.

Mothers-to-be have long been warned to limit oily fish and avoid certain fish altogether because of concerns over pollutants and mercury exposure.

Now researchers have found those who consume the highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids are significantly less likely to give birth early.

The findings are so strong they suggest pregnant women should start taking cod liver oil tablets every day from 12 weeks onwards.

fish oil supplements prevent premature baby

Researchers have found those who consume the highest levels of omega-3 fatty acids are significantly less likely to give birth early

A review of 70 studies found increasing a type of fatty acids found in oily fish like salmon and mackerel lowers the risk of having a baby born before 37 weeks by 11 percent.

The risk of giving birth before 34 weeks drops by 42 percent and the chances of having a small baby – weighing less than 5lbs 5oz – fall by a tenth (10 percent).

Around 60,000 babies are born prematurely in the UK each year, while the figure is around 380,000 in the US.

Recent rankings put the UK 134th out of 184 countries in the world, higher than many countries in Europe and higher than Cuba, Ecuador, and Iraq.

There are currently few options for preventing premature birth, yet it is the leading cause of death in children under-5 worldwide.

Those who survive to face a range of long-term conditions including visual impairment, developmental delay, and learning difficulties.

But scientists suggest taking a daily pill – containing between 500 and 1000mg of long-chain omega-3 fats – from 12 weeks onwards could help to cut the risk.

Researchers from the University of Adelaide, SA Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and Women’s and Children’s Hospital reviewed the results of trials involving 20,000 women.

They looked at two types of omega 3 fatty acids – eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are found in salmon and fish oils including cod liver oil.

They found there was now ‘high-quality evidence’ that omega-3 supplements are an effective strategy for reducing preterm birth.

Experts believe it may work by reducing the potency of powerful hormones that can initiate premature birth, extending the gestation period.

Professor Philippa Middleton, from SAHMRI, said: ‘There are not many options for preventing premature birth, so these new findings are very important for pregnant women, babies and the health professionals who care for them.

‘We don’t yet fully understand the causes of premature labor, so predicting and preventing early birth has always been a challenge.

‘This is one of the reasons omega-3 supplementation in pregnancy is of such great interest to researchers around the world.’ Omega 3 pills, capsules, and oils are one of the most popular types of supplement, with more than a quarter of people who take any kind of supplement choosing omega 3.

Experts say there is no risk with taking the supplements or exceeding the dose as it simply passes through the body.

Professor Middleton said it was important to check the dosage of supplements to ensure they contained at least 500mg of DHA.

‘It’s worth noting though that many supplements currently on the market don’t contain the optimal dose or type of omega-3 for preventing premature birth.

‘Our review found the optimum dose was a daily supplement containing between 500 and 1000 milligrams (mg) of long-chain omega-3 fats (containing at least 500mg of DHA) starting at 12 weeks of pregnancy.’

If you know someone who might like this, please click “Share”!

Share
Tweet
Email
Prev Article
Next Article

Related Articles

kids experiences boost intelligence
Our children are our world, the reason why we fell …

Science Says Giving Your Kids Experiences Instead of Toys Can Boost Intelligence And Happiness

how to fall asleep fast
20 Tips On How To Fall Asleep Fast There are …

20 Tips On How To Fall Asleep Fast

kids sleep own bed
This is where the magic….doesn’t happen. Not likely to be …

This Is Where The Magic Doesn’t Happen: How To Get Your Kids To Sleep In Their Own Bed

Benefits of Epsom Salt: Use to Flush Toxins and Other Many Uses
Epsom salt has long been used to soothe the aches …

Benefits of Epsom Salt: Use to Flush Toxins and Other Many Uses

You Might Like

  • Flu like symptoms before labor
    Flu-like Symptoms Before Labor: These Are Dangerous …
  • Microneedling for acne scars
    Microneedling for Acne Scars: Costs, Effectiveness, Side …
  • Does vaping cause acne
    Does Vaping Cause Acne? Hidden Dangers Explained …
  • Why is my acne itchy
    Why is My Acne Itchy: Do This …
  • how to lose belly fat overnight
    How to Lose Belly Fat Overnight With …

Health Spirit Body

Health Information For A Better You
Copyright © 2023 Health Spirit Body
About | DMCA | Privacy Policy | Terms Of Use | Contact
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT