Eating fish during pregnancy ensures a good balance of the omega 6 and omega 3 fatty acids essential for the brain development of an unborn child.
Here’s why
Focusing on the effects of dietary lipids, a new study from the Tohoku University’s School of Medicine further this claim and found out that an imbalance of omega-6 and omega-3 leads to premature aging of the fetal neural stem cells, which in turn can cause abnormality inside the brain, especially among offsprings.
For the study, Professor Noriko Osumi and colleagues looked at female mice. They found that pregnant mice who were fed a diet rich in omega-6 but deficient in omega-3 produced offsprings with a relatively smaller brain.
This abnormal brain development can lead to long-term adverse effects—like anxiety—in the mental state of the offsprings.
Find balance
From the results, it is clear why omega-6 and omega-3 balance is important for future brain function and reinforce earlier suggestions that more fish intake by women during pregnancy can advantageously affect the child’s health.
So load up on that salmon, mummies! And a brainy kid may well be on your way!
News Source: Tohoku University
