Fish during pregnancy may boost kids' IQ

[Guest guest]

Fish during pregnancy may boost kids' IQ

 

Women who eat seafood while pregnant may be boosting

their children's IQ in the process, according to new

research published in The Lancet. The results of the

study were surprising, say the authors, and contradict

American and British recommendations that pregnant

women should limit seafood and fish consumption to

avoid potentially high levels of mercury.

 

The study relied on mothers' observations of their

children's development and their reports of their food

intake while pregnant.

 

Mercury is found in small concentrations in fish and

seafood, but can accumulate in the body. High amounts

of the metal can damage the human nervous system,

particularly those in developing fetuses. On the other

hand, seafood — including fish — is also a major

source of omega-3 fatty acids, essential to brain

development.

 

While experts believe further research is necessary to

confirm these conclusions, the study's failure to find

evidence of increased harm from eating fish is

significant. Because seafood contain both nutrients

and toxins, it remains a dilemma for regulatory

authorities what kinds of recommendations should exist

for pregnant women.

 

The study, led by Dr. Joseph Hibbeln of the United

States' National Institutes of Health, tracked the

eating habits of 11,875 pregnant women in Bristol,

Britain.At 32 weeks into their pregnancy, the women

were asked to fill in a seafood consumption

questionnaire. They were subsequently sent

questionnaires four times during their pregnancy, and

then up to eight years after the birth of their child.

Researchers examined issues including the children's

social and communication skills, their hand-eye

coordination, and their IQ levels. As with any study

based on self-reporting methods, however, the results

cannot be considered entirely definitive.

 

The study was primarily funded by Britain's Medical

Research Council, the Wellcome Trust, the University

of Bristol, and the British government.

 

 

 

______________________________\

____

We won't tell. Get more on shows you hate to love

(and love to hate): TV's Guilty Pleasures list.

http://tv./collections/265