Asian Scientist (Aug. 6, 2013) – Taking fish oil during pregnancy could limit the effects of serious complications such as gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia and miscarriage as well as enhancing fetal growth, according to an Australian study.
In the study, published in the Journal of Lipid Research, the researchers added fish oil to the diets of pregnant rats and examined its effect on the placenta and fetus.
They showed that in rats with fish oil supplementation, the placenta had higher levels of novel compounds called resolvins. Other researchers had shown that resolvins are formed from omega-3 fatty acids and can reduce inflammatory conditions.
Inflammation of the placenta occurs in pregnancy disorders, including gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia and miscarriage. The study shows that the omega-3 fatty acids present in fish oil can help limit inflammation in the placenta.
Lead researcher Megan Jones said while it was well known that fish oil could be beneficial for fetal brain development, this latest research suggested it may also improve the function of the placenta.
“Many people will have heard that fish oil is good for you but we don’t fully understand the mechanisms,” she said.
“The omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil are known to limit inflammation, and only recently it has come to light that they do this by being converted to resolvins that reduce inflammation after it’s occurred.
“These findings significantly help further our understanding of how fish oil intake may be beneficial during pregnancy.”
Ms Jones pointed out that human trials were needed to confirm the findings and further explore the effects.
The article can be found at: Jones et al. (2013) Maternal Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acid Intake Increases Resolvin And Protectin Levels In The Rat Placenta.
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Source: UWA; Photo: Jonas N/Flickr/CC.
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