Fish Oil Health Benefits: How to Lower Risk of Premature Birth

Premature birth and low birth weight put enormous stress on a baby.

To begin with, premature birth is the leading cause of death in infants. But even those infants who survive may face a lifetime of serious health concerns, such as cerebral palsy and mental retardation, as well as vision and lung function problems.

Premature births also put enormous emotional and financial stress on the parents. For example, the national hospital bill for premature births is estimated at 11.9 billion dollars.

What exactly is premature birth and low birth weight? Well, it’s not just those tiny “preemies” weighing a couple of pounds that are at risk. Any baby born more than three weeks before its due date is considered premature. And low birth weight is anything less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces.

But, there’s good news for women and babies. In a study of nearly 9,000 pregnant women, Danish researchers discovered that those ate fish just once a week during their first trimester had 3.6 times less risk of premature birth and low birth weight than those who ate no fish. (British Medical Journal, Vol. 324: 1-5)

In fact, fish oil omega 3 fatty acids DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (acid) are absolutely essential (i.e. vital for life itself) for a healthy pregnancy and a healthy full term baby.

Women need omega 3 DHA and EPA just to produce healthy eggs. Men need them for increased energy and mobility of sperm. A lack of these essential oils also puts the mother at a much higher risk for both pre-eclampsia (pregnancy-related high blood pressure) and post-partum depression.

DHA and EPA are also essential for the optimum growth and development of the fetus throughout the entire term of pregnancy. Did you know, for example, that DHA and EPA make up nearly 70% of a newborn baby’s brain, retina and central nervous system?

Omega 3 fish oils have also been found to reduce the risk of three of the most common and debilitating conditions affecting young children – asthma, juvenile diabetes and ADD/ADHD.

And the only way the fetus or a young infant is going to get these essential oils is through the mother’s diet during pregnancy and nursing or through supplementation.

So, if you’re thinking about getting pregnant or are pregnant or nursing, get started now eating more fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna and sardines, and/or taking good quality daily fish oil supplements that provide a combined total of 1 g DHA and EPA.

You and your baby will be glad you did!

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