New Research from United States, Denmark, Indicates that Omega 3 May be as Important to Infants as Breast Milk

It is common knowledge that babies who are breast fed enjoy healthier immune systems and are generally more precocious in their early development than babies who do not receive the benefits of maternal milk in their early days.

Not so well known are the incredible benefits that infants can derive from omega 3 fatty acids, a compound found commonly in fish and therefore often lacking in pre-pregnancy diets as most pregnant women tend to avoid game fish during this critical period in order to avoid exposing the baby to mercury poisoning.

The results of this study of over 25 thousand babies and mothers suggest that it would behoove pregnant and nursing moms to find some safe source of omega 3, as babies who get enough of this essential fatty acid in their early months develop at the same accelerated rate that babies who nurse for the first 18 months of their life.

The study measured the development of 25,446 infants, charting their progressive abilities to hold up their heads, sit unassisted, crawl, respond to voices, talk, remove their own socks and draw.

In conjunction with this analysis, the mothers’ intake of fish over the course of her pregnancy was considered. Results indicated that babies whose mothers got more than the usual amount of game fish – tuna, swordfish, salmon or mackerel – were 25% more likely to perform these skills ahead of schedule, just like the babies who enjoyed the benefits of breast milk in their first 18 months!

Scientists attribute this advanced development to the increased amounts of omega 3 that the mothers consumed by eating additional portions of fish, but warn that mercury, commonly found in trace amounts in these types of fish, could negate the positive results.

Fortunately, there are other ways for pregnant mothers and newborn babies to get omega 3 in their diets. There are many supplements available in health foods stores and online. You can find more information in this article: Omega 3 Supplements During Pregnancy.

However, make sure that if you are pregnant that your supplement comes with a toxin-free guarantee that insures that the supplement was not manufactured with fish containing the FDA-allowed trace amounts of mercury or other heavy metals.

There are many areas of the world, such as the artic circle, where salmon and other fish high in omega 3 fatty acids are not exposed to these toxins, and these fish should be the source for your supplement rather than environmentally suspect specimens.

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