Women who take omega-3 supplements during pregnancy are less likely to give birth prematurely and their children are less likely to have problems with cognitive and language development, a large clinical study has found.Research funded by the Australian government looked at almost 2,400 pregnant women between 2005 and 2010.
Some of the women were given omega-3 supplements from the 19th week of pregnancy until birth, while others received a placebo (dummy pill).
The researchers found that omega-3 supplementation was associated with a 50 per cent reduction in very early pre-term deliveries and a 35 per cent drop in the incidence of low birth-weight babies.
In addition, they observed that infants whose mothers took omega-3 were less likely to be slow to develop cognitive and language skills, while supplemented women were less likely to experience postnatal depression.
Commenting on the research, Oxford University's Dr Alex Richardson said: 'In this trial - the largest of its kind - highly significant reductions were found in many factors that can adversely affect children's development and wellbeing over their lifetimes.'
Omega-3 fatty acids are also found in oily fish, such as salmon, fresh tuna and mackerel.
http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/interactive/news/study-supports-omega-3-supplements-in-pregnancy--id801211576-t116.html
