Nutrition during pregnancy and early childhood is an important factor in the development and health of the child. Research from the University of Copenhagen suggests that taking omega-3 supplements daily during pregnancy will improve the muscle and bone development of the unborn baby.
Effects against asthma
Published in the British Medical Journal, the Danish study followed 736 women and their children. Some expectant mothers took a daily omega-3 supplement in the form of a fish oil capsule, from the 24th week of their pregnancy until birth. The other part was unknowingly taking a placebo pill of olive oil.
Basically, the study aimed to assess the impact of omega-3 on asthma. In fact, the researchers finally showed that children whose mothers were supplemented were 30% less likely to have asthma or associated respiratory symptoms than children in the second group.
A higher BMI
But the children were also weighed and measured at 3, 5 and 6 years old. And these numbers revealed something else. “Fish oil supplementation from week 24 of pregnancy led to higher body mass index (BMI) in children zero to six years old, without increased risk of obesity by their sixth birthday.”, write the study authors in their report.
X-ray examinations afterwards showed that children whose mothers were supplemented with omega-3 did not have a higher body index because of bad fats. But thanks to more lean muscle mass and higher bone density than the group of children whose mothers ingested olive oil. So more muscles and stronger bones. Fish oil appears to have had a stimulating effect on their overall growth.
Read also :
- The health benefits of omega-3s
- Important carbohydrates during pregnancy
- Why you need folic acid supplementation before and during pregnancy