A recent study suggests that contrary to previous findings, supplementing with fish oil and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF) during pregnancy may not affect cognitive development in children.
Fish oil contains both docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA). Evidence from multiple studies support the use of DHA and EPA for the lowering of triglycerides, reducing risk of death and decreasing risk of heart disease. It has been suggested that fatty acids, particularly DHA, may be important for normal neurologic development; however, further research is necessary. 5-MTHF is a form of folic acid, a water-soluble B vitamin. Folic acid supplements are recommended for use in women of childbearing age to prevent certain birth defects.
In a new study, healthy pregnant women from three European centers were evaluated from the 20th week of pregnancy through delivery. The women were randomly assigned to one of four groups. The first group received a daily supplement of 500 milligrams DHA and 150 milligrams EPA; the second group received 400 micrograms 5-MTHF; the third group received both the DHA+EPA and 5-MTHF supplements; and the fourth group received placebo.
After birth, children of women in the supplement groups also received formula containing 0.5 percent DHA and 0.4 percent arachidonic acid (AA). Cognitive function of the children was assessed when they reached 6.5 years of age.
The researchers found no significant differences in cognitive function of the children based on supplement status. However, the authors noted that maternal DHA status may be related to later cognitive function in children. Additional research is warranted in this area.
For more information about fish oil or folate, please visit Natural Standard's Foods, Herbs & Supplements database.
A similar area of omega-3 research I am interested in watching unfold is its application in Autism. Natural Standard currently gives it a C rating, which isn't surprising as the data is minimal and contradictory. I think some of the major issues, at least in the Autism trials, are the large variations in dose, EPA/DHA ratios, treatment duration, and presence/absence of vitamin E, which may boost omega-3 absorption and prevent lipid peroxidation. We should certainly pay attention to such factors, as well as the populations studied for generalizability, before ruling out these potential alternatives!
Posted by: Ashley Tewksbury | October 27, 2011 at 11:39 AM
Besides cognitive development in children, fish oil has also been studied to see if its use affects school attendance in children. Since there are numerous factors that could affect how or if a child attends school, I would like to know how those other confounding variables were addressed. If they were not addressed, this would certainly impact the results of the study. Another outcome evaluated in the study was aggressive behavior, which I believe would a better outcome to measure than school attendance.
Posted by: NK | October 25, 2011 at 10:20 AM
This study seems really interesting to me. Having worked in a retail pharmacy setting for many years, just over the past few years, DHA in prenatal vitamins has become a very popular supplement to take. Most health care professionals will recommend that a pregnant women be prescribed a prenatal vitamin, and that it must have DHA in it. I have also seen many women be freaked out if they have realized that they have not been taking a prenatal vitamin with DHA, because now their maybe may not be receiving the proper cognitive development. I would be very interested to see if more studies come out, and see if the DHA fad will stop or continue. Right now it seems to continually grow into a more popular supplement for pregnant women, and if it has no added benefit for the child, then women may just take a cheaper prenatal vitamin.
Posted by: JW | October 21, 2011 at 06:34 PM
Good point MK, but along with lowering the risk of heart disease, fish oil has strong scientific evidence of lowering high blood pressure and hypertriglyceridemia (reduced blood triglycerides) according to the Natural Standard. Fish oil also has good scientific evidence for protecting from cyclosporine toxicity in organ transplant patients and reducing inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis patients. With so many benefits, it seems like a great supplement for these women to take regardless.
Posted by: CLZ | October 17, 2011 at 04:26 PM
This news on fish oil comes as a surprise. Although fish oil was not found to benefit cognitive development in children, it is still a beneficial supplement. Women of childbearing age should not be discouraged from taking fish oil as it is still beneficial in lowering the risk of heart disease. However, these women should still be encouraged to get enough folic acid to prevent birth defects. So, fish oil may not do it all but it is still a worthy supplement!
Posted by: MK | October 13, 2011 at 03:36 PM