What You Should Know About Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Dr. Joseph Hibbeln, from the U.S. National Institutes of Health who led a study in the U.K. said the fatty acids found in fish is extremely important for fetal brain development. While the US government recommends limiting a pregnant women's seafood intake to 12 ounces per week, the British study shows this amount is not sufficient to protect the developing fetal brain from developmental problems. They found that women who avoid seafood or just eat a small amount are actually harming their unborn babies by depriving them of essential nutrients needed in fetal brain development.

In the British studyncalled the 'Children Of The 90's Project', 9,000 women were tracked for several years. In the children of the women who ate more than the recommended 12 ounces (340 grams) of seafood per week, they were more advanced in developmental tests measuring fine motor, communication, and social skills as toddlers; behaved better at age 7; and got higher verbal IQ scores at age 8, than the other group whose mother's ate less than 12 ounces of seafood per week. In the children whose mothers ate no seafood at all, the differences were shocking. Those children were 48% more likely to have low verbal IQ scores at age 8. For each outcome measure, the lower the intake of seafood during pregnancy, the higher the risk of sub-optimum developmental outcome.

Maybe my mother was right. Fish does seem to be brain food! We know that seafood is the key source of omega-3 fatty acids, and the evidence is mounting daily of fatty acids excellent benefits for the human body. I am familiar with Omega-3 fatty acids because my grandson who has Asperger Syndrome--a form of high-functioning autism--takes the supplements daily and has shown huge improvement in many areas since his physician prescribed them. In fact, it has almost been a miracle cure for him in many ways.

I did some further research on omega-3 fatty acids and found some interesting information on its benefits :

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for the development of the nervous system.

Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death.

Omega-3 fatty acids can lower one's cholesterol and triglyceride levels and decrease the risk of coronary heart disease.

Scientists suspect that omega-3 fatty acids may prevent ventricular fibrillation in the event of a heart attack.

Patients with neck pain and rheumatoid arthritis have shown benefits from omega-3 fatty acids (Omega-3 fatty acids has anti-inflammatory benefits).

HDL ('good' cholesterol) levels tend to be higher in people consuming high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. (and it lowers total cholesterol and triglycerides in people with high cholesterol).

In Autism, individuals taking omega-3 fatty acids seem to show improvement in overall health, cognition, sleep patters, social interaction, eye contact and (in some reported instances) anxiety about everyday events.

Pregnant women who ate fish (omega-3 fatty acids) once a week during their first trimester had 3.6 times less risk of low birth weight and premature birth than those who ate no fish or low consumption of seafood.

Omega-3 fatty acids comprise approximately eight percent of the average human brain.

Omega-3 fatty acids help the brain to repair damage by promoting neuronal growth. People with schizophrenia and Huntington's disease have shown a significant growth increase of grey and white matter.

A small study has shown some patients with bipolar disorder have a 'noticeable degree of recovery' after taking omega-3 fatty acids.

Mood improvement in depression when the depression is associated with coronary artery disease has been shown in patients taking Omega-3 fatty acids.

Research has shown seafood (which contains omega-3 fatty acids) as being a legitimate 'brain food'! Yes! Mother was right! It's a scientific fact! I found this statement (word-for-word) in the June, 2006 issue of The American Journal of Psychiatry.

Be sure to talk with your physician before taking omega-3 fatty acids or eating foods that contain them in substantial amounts.