Fish Oil Supplements May Provide Alternative for Pregnant Women

A recent research study of more than 11,000 women published in The Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found evidence that consuming fish during the late stages of pregnancy may improve fetal birth weight. The scientists who led the study speculate that increased birth weights seen among those women who ate fish at least twice a week may be linked with the omega-3 essential fatty acids found in many species of deep water, fatty fish.

Yet a recent survey of US households, conducted by ICR Survey Research Group for Triomega®, found that Americans are less likely to eat fresh fish than many other foods. In fact, only 34 percent reported eating fresh fish over a recent one-week period – an indicator that many pregnant women might not be consuming enough fish to gain the potential health benefits found in the study.

Compounding this news are ongoing concerns about contamination. Nearly half of those surveyed (48%) said their top reason for avoiding fish was fear of contaminants like mercury or PCBs. In addition, the FDA has issued warnings specifically targeted to pregnant women and women of child-bearing age about mercury levels in fish like tuna or swordfish.

This is why many medical experts are now discussing omega-3 marine-based supplements as an alternative for specific population groups, like pregnant women, who may benefit from fish consumption, but are worried about contamination or simply choose not to eat fish.

“In addition to mounting science that omega-3 fatty acids benefit the overall health of the heart, mind and joints, recent research provides compelling evidence that they may also play a vital role in fetal development, fetal birth weight and even post-partum depression,” says Dr. Machelle Seibel, professor of Clinical Obstetrics and Gynecology at the University of Massachusetts and medical director at Inverness Medical Inc. “Yet it seems that American’s are not consuming enough fish to gain these health benefits, which makes supplementation a potentially positive alternative to consider during pregnancy.”

Women interested in taking omega-3 supplements are advised to look for a supplement that contains both EPA and DHA, the most important of the omega-3 fatty acids. They should also make sure that the fish oil they choose is highly concentrated and purified, as are the new generation of fish oil supplements such as Triomega, providing at least 70% omega-3s.

Reference
J Epidemiol Community Health 2004; 58: 486-492. Maternal fish intake in late pregnancy and the frequency of low birth weight and intrauterine growth retardation in a cohort of British infants, I Rogers, P Emmett, A Ness, and J Golding, http://jech.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/abstract/58/6/486

About Triomega / Pronova Biocare
Pronova Biocare is a world leader in the development, manufacturing and sales of marine omega-3 fatty acids, with three omega-3 business units including consumer (Triomega®, Pikasol® and Triomar®), pharmaceuticals (Omacor®) and industrial (EPAX®) brands. Triomega brand omega-3 supplements are currently available in the United States, Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Italy.

About Inverness Medical, Inc.
Inverness Medical, Inc. manufactures, markets and sells a variety of products for the women’s health and nutritional supplements markets. For more information on Inverness Medical, visit www.invernessmedical.com.

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