| Scientists
have discovered that eating large amounts of fish during the later
stages of pregnancy might increase fetus growth but doesn’t extend
the duration of the pregnancy.
A study conducted involved 11,580 women who found the more fish
they consumed at the 32-week mark in their pregnancy the lower the
likelihood of restricted growth in the baby. One researcher stated
these findings supported the data that increasing the intake of
fish or omega-3 fatty acids while a woman was pregnant increased
the fetal growth rate.
The women in the study were questioned on the amount of fish they
ate and the levels of omega-3 fatty acids were then measured by
the fish intake the pregnant women consumed.
Results from the study showed that women ate 33 grams of fish on
average, which was equal to around one-third of a tiny can of tuna
each day and to 0.15 grams of omega-3 fatty acids. Some experts
have recommended fish as a rich source for omega-3 fatty acids,
which are considered essential for cell function.
Some of the other sources of omega-three fatty acids include canola
oil, flaxseed and flaxseed oil and nuts.
Journal
of Epidemiology and Community Health June 2004;58(6):486-92
| 