Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Omega-3-Rich Fish Intake During Pregnancy May Boost Birth Weight for Babies: European Data


As people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity have poor absorption of fats, it is important to make up to difference by increasing the amounts of fats in the diet. Including the best source of omega 3's, fish. And if an expectant mother is undiagnosed and untreated, she is more likely to experience recurring miscarriages, premature births and low birth weights. And a gluten free diet reverses the higher risk to normal, but I aim for an even lower rate of risk.

Here is a report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, that shows that eating fish at least one serving a week helped to reduce the risk of preterm birth by between 11%-13%. And eating fish three times a week allowed the baby to have a small but significant increase in birth weight, according to data from 19 European birth cohort studies. 

Preterm birth is a public health issue. If you want to know more about this subject link here. This report also mentions the benefits of omega 3's.

It is especially important to follow this advice if you are celiac or gluten sensitive and pregnant or planning to get pregnant. This advice helps to reduce the risk of premature birth and to reduce the risk of "intrauterine growth retardation" (a condition where the baby being born at term, but the baby has a low weight). Low weight at full term is much more dangerous to the future health of the baby than being born at a low weight when premature.

It is prudent to do whatever it takes to avoid having a baby with either low weight at term or pre-maturity. Start with a completely clean diet without grains, gluten, oats, or sugar. No cheating.

And look for the list of safe fish to eat from your countries health recommendations,but you can see Canada's recommendations here.

To Your Health

Dr. Barbara