Omega-3 in pregnancy: an anti-allergy shield for the baby
Would you like to give your baby a superpower? Then read the results of the studies we report very carefully, because there seems to be a relationship between Omega-3 intake during pregnancy and lower risk for infants to develop allergies.
What the studies say
- They support the development of the fetal nervous system.
- They improve the functions of the placenta.
- They reduce the risk of premature births.
- They help you keep your blood pressure under control.
I benefits of Omega-3s during gestation are well known and confirmed by numerous studies. But research continues and the results are increasingly surprising...
Several clinical studies had already shown a link between fish oil or nut oil intake and reduced risk of developing allergies in infants. But one key piece was still missing: the "why."
Today we have it. Research published in The Journal of Physiology, conducted by a team of researchers at the INRA Research Institute in Rennes led by Gaëlle Boudry, has shed light on the "why": omega-3s produce a change in the development of the fetus' gut that would promote the proper development of the immune system.
What does this modification consist of? Omega-3 fatty acids seem to make the baby's gut more "permeable." And this permeability allows bacteria and substances in the gut to pass more easily through its walls to enter the bloodstream and stimulate the immune response. This results in a decreased likelihood of developing allergies.
For now, researchers have obtained evidence of this correlation by observing the diet of piglets; this animal model is considered excellent since these animals have intestines very similar to ours. The research, of course, will then be extended to humans as well.
We, as quality pioneers and visionaries in nutraceuticals, remain eagerly awaiting developments to continue to tell you how Omega-3s can help the immune system of young children become stronger and more responsive.