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Can pregnant women improve their progeny's intelligence by eatingfish? A study recently submitted to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and coordinated by the University of Granada professor CristinaCampoy Folgoso revealed that infants born to mothers who consumedmore fish during pregnancy score higher in verbal intelligence andfine motor skill tests, and present an increased prosocialbehavior. This study was conducted within the framework of the NUTRIMENTHEproject ("Effect of diet on offspring's cognitive development"),which received funding of 5.9 million Euros from the European 7thFramework Programme (7PM). This study was coordinated by theUniversity of Granada professor Cristina Campoy Folgoso.Fish oil isthe primary source of long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids asdocosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the main component of brain cellmembranes. The European Commission has confirmed and supports thehealthy effects of DHA as "it contributes to the normal developmentof the brain and eye of the fetus and breastfed infants". Effects of Fish Intake The NUTRIMENTHE project is focused on the effects that geneticvariants and maternal fish intake have on the offspring'sintellectual capacity. The researchers mainly focused onpolymorphisms in the fatty acid desaturase (FADS) gene cluster thatencodes the delta-5 and delta-6 desaturase enzymes involved in thesynthesis of long-chain fatty acids of the series omega-3 andomega-6. The researchers collected blood samples from 2 000 womenat 20 gestational weeks and from the umbilical cord of the infantat birth, and analyzed concentrations of long-chain fatty acids ofthe series omega-3 and omega-6. Then, they determined the genotypeof 18 polymorphisms in the FADS gene cluster. The aim of this studywas to assess the effects of maternal fish intake -as a source ofOmega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids- on fetal development, and todetermine how the different genotypes affect long-chain fatty acidconcentrations in the fetus. Dr. Pauline Emmett (University of Bristol), Dr. Eva Lattka(Helmholtz Zentrum M nchen, the German Research Center forEnvironmental Health) and their research teams have determined howFADS gene cluster polymorphisms affect long-chain polyunsaturatedfatty acid concentrations in women during pregnancy. Maternal Genotypes According to the researchers, fatty acid concentrations inumbilical cord blood depend on maternal and offspring genotypes.Accordingly, maternal genotypes are mainly related with omega-6fatty acid precursors, and offspring genotypes are related with themore highly elongated fatty acids of the omega-6 series. The studyalso revealed that concentrations of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) ofthe Omega-3 series -main component of brain cell membranes- dependon maternal and offspring genotypes. Dr Lattka states that "thefetal contribution of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids of theomega-6 series is more relevant than expected; fetal DHAconcentrations depend on maternal and fetal metabolism", andconcludes that "the amount of DHA transmitted to the fetus throughthe placenta might be crucial for fetal development". In a previous study, this research team proved that fish intakeduring pregnancy is correlated with the IQ in 8-year old children.But, what causes that effect? The study revealed that fish intakeis correlated with maternal blood DHA concentrations. However, ithas not been clarified whether maternal DHA concentrations aredirectly correlated with the offspring's IQ. The NUTRIMENTHEproject - which is expected to conclude in 2013- is aimed atelucidating this question. Additional References Citations. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as Led Candle Light Bulbs Manufacturer , Led Tube Light Fixtures for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits Dimmable E27 Led Bulb.
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