Smarter kids from mothers who consume more seafood during pregnancy

U.S. Tuna Foundation Media Release - 26 June 2007

A recent study shows that children of mothers who consumed more omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy have increased cognitive skills compared to those of mothers who consumed fewer or no omega-3 fatty acids. The study, published this month in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, contributes to growing scientific evidence highlighting the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet throughout life. Fish, like canned tuna, remains one of the most readily available and affordable sources of this vital nutrient.

The study, led by Michelle Judge and Dr. Ofer Harel, University of Connecticut, and Dr. Carol Lammi-Keefe, Louisiana State University, found that children of mothers who consumed additional omega-3s at their 24th week of pregnancy showed greater problem-solving skills at the age of nine months than children of mothers who did not consume additional omega-3 fatty acids.

Since last fall, prestigious professional journals including The Lancet and the Journal of the American Medical Association have published carefully scrutinized, peer-reviewed research showing that seafood, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, helps fetal brain development, prevents certain types of cancers and heart disease, and helps deter depression, Alzheimer's disease and macular degeneration. These studies underscore advice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the American Heart Association, and numerous other reputable public health institutions: Americans should eat seafood at least twice per week for optimal health.