Consuming Fish During Pregnancy May Improve Child's Brain Growth, Development

Eating fish during your pregnancy may improve the growth of your baby's brain. In this latest study, scientists at the Tohoku University's School of Medicine found eating fish during pregnancy has a correlation with the health of a baby's brain.

The researchers claimed that dietary lipid has fatty acids like omega omega-6 and omega-3, which are necessary nutrients for both humans and animals. The team found that a balanced consumption of lipids is essential for normal brain function in an unborn baby.

During an experiment, the researchers found that female mice that were fed an omega-6-rich/omega-3-poor diet produced offsprings with a smaller brain and they displayed signs of abnormal emotional behavior during adulthood.

The researchers claimed that the brain abnormality in the mice offspring in the study was due to premature aging fetal neural stem cells that produce brain cells. The premature aging was caused by an imbalance of oxides of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, the mice offspring also displayed high levels of anxiety.

A balanced level of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids improves the growth and development of brain functions.  The researchers urged that an early intake of fish by pregnant women could have positive effects on their child's health.   

The findings of this study were published in Stem Cells.

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