There is accumulating scientific evidence to demonstrate the importance
of Omega-3 in the development of the unborn child in the womb
and the newly born infant. Required throughout pregnancy, the
Omega-3 fatty acids are particularly important during the last
3 months and during early infancy for the proper development of
the brain, eyes and nervous system. Since the unborn baby cannot
make its own Omega-3, its' needs must be met by its' mother. To
ensure an adequate supply of Omega-3, evidence suggests that a
women should eat oily fish several times a week or take a daily
fish oil supplement early in pregnancy or even before conception.
Omega-3 supplementation while breast- feeding results in Omega-3-enriched
milk, which passes to the baby.*
Researchers at the University of Milan report that infants whose
formula contains long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (especially
DHA) have healthier brain development than children who did not
receive DHA in their formula. The observation supports earlier
findings that there is a direct correlation between the DHA concentration
in the red blood cells of infants and their visual acuity. The
researchers recommend that infants who are not breast-fed be fed
a DHA-enriched formula. The researchers report that breast milk
already contains the fatty acids necessary for healthy brain development.
(The Lancet, Vol. 346, September 2, 1995, p. 638.)*
Researchers also believe that breast-fed infants may develop higher
intelligence. A meta-analysis of 11 published studies reported
in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (October, 1999) showed a 60% gain in intelligence in breast fed
infants over those who were formula-fed, measured by IQ scores.
The researchers suggest that the higher IQs are attributable to
the nutritional value of breast milk, which contains certain Omega-3
fatty acids such as DHA. These Omega-3 fatty acids have been associated
with brain development and are not found in most formulas. All
the studies the researchers examined were "retrospective," analyzing
the IQ development of babies who were breast-fed. However, the
superior performance of breast-fed babies could be due to other
factors, including the fact that women who breast-feed their babies
tend to be of a higher socioeconomic class.*
The content of the Omega-3 fatty acid, DHA, of women who were
pregnant for the first time and their children was found to be
higher than those who had previously been through 1 to 6 pregnancies.
Additionally, the DHA level in the umbilical cord of first-born
infants was found to be higher than in children whose mothers
had been pregnant before. This study provides evidence that with
each subsequent birth, mothers may need to supplement their reserves
of DHA. (European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 1997, 51: 548-53.)*
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug
Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat,
cure or prevent any disease