Eating more fish in pregnancy keeps you healthy and lowers oxidative stress

Oxidative stress in mother and infant can be countered by introducing 2 servings of Omega 3-enriched salmon per week into the diet. This is shown by a study from the University of Granada (Spain), published in the journal Antioxidants and Redox Signaling, conducted by a group of researchers led by Cruz Erika García-Rodríguez. The authors explain that consuming these amounts of salmon during pregnancy helps women and their children achieve the Omega-3 levels recommended by experts.

Salmon in pregnancy: Omega-3 from the sea

The research conducted in the laboratories of the University of Granada is part of a larger European project: the Salmon in Pregnancy Study. Early data collected during this project revealed that consuming salmon during pregnancy increases the levels of Omega-3 present in both mother and baby. In fact, salmon is one of the foods richest in Omega-3, fatty acids useful both for the proper development of the fetus and for reducing the risks of complications during pregnancy. The one used by García-Rodríguez and colleagues was further enriched in these nutrients by including vegetable oils, algae and zooplankton in its diet. This particular type of rearing allowed the researchers to obtain a fish rich in Omega-3, vitamins with antioxidant power (particularly A and E) and selenium.

The effect of Omega-3s in pregnancy

The new research involved pregnant women characterized by low fish consumption, who were divided into 2 groups:

- the former continued to follow his dietary regimen;

- the second introduced 2 servings per week of Omega-3 enriched salmon into its diet from week 20 of gestation.

Between the 20th and 34th weeks of pregnancy, all participants completed a questionnaire on eating habits inherent in the previous 12 weeks. In addition, the researchers collected blood and urine samples from all women. Samples were also repeated at the thirty-eighth week of gestation and at delivery. Finally, blood samples from the umbilical cord were taken at the birth of the baby.

More Omega-3s and less stress

Analysis of the data showed that increased salmon consumption causes elevated levels of Omega-3, selenium and vitamin A in pregnant women and newborns. The researchers also observed a progressive increase in other molecules important in counteracting oxidative stress.

Happy pregnancy: help from omega-3s

These results, the authors explain, indicate that intake of 2 servings per week of salmon help the mother-to-be and newborn achieve the recommended minimum levels of Omega-3 while increasing antioxidant defenses. This can reduce the oxidative stress associated with pregnancy that could lead to serious complications, including miscarriage, premature birth and preeclampsia.