Most prenatal supplements lack the amount of omega-3 fatty acids that could help prevent preterm birth, meaning birth before 37 weeks of pregnancy. This is the key finding of a new study published by a research team in the American Journal of Perinatology.
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential nutrients found primarily in oily fish. They help prevent inflammation and thus reduce the risk of premature birth.
Our research, however, found that about 1 in 6 prenatal supplements on the U.S. market that contain omega-3 fatty acids provide the amount needed by most pregnant women.
The researchers used the USDA Dietary Supplement Label Database to identify prenatal supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids. We then compared the claimed amount of omega-3 on food labels with the recommended amounts in new guidelines published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Maternal-Fetal Medicine by a panel of experts representing international obstetrics and child health organizations.
The guidelines recommend different doses of omega-3 fatty acids depending on whether a woman’s baseline intake before pregnancy was adequate or inadequate.
We found that 70% of prenatal supplements that contained omega-3s provided the amount recommended for women with adequate intake. However, previous studies have shown that only 5% of pregnant women and women of childbearing age consume sufficient amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. Therefore, for women with insufficient intake, a prenatal supplement with more omega-3 would be beneficial.
Why it matters
Premature birth is the leading cause of infant mortality worldwide. It is also a major cause of childhood illnesses that lead to expensive stays in neonatal intensive care units. And then there are the difficult emotional consequences for parents and families.
Premature birth also significantly increases the risk of long-term health consequences for the child, such as intellectual disability, chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes, and mental illness in adulthood.
However, there are several treatment options for preterm labor.
That’s where omega-3 fatty acids come in. They reduce the risk of preterm birth by reducing the production of signaling molecules that trigger labor.
A Cochrane review of 26 randomized controlled trials found that 1,000 milligrams of extra omega-3 fatty acids per day could reduce the risk of preterm birth by 11% and the risk of early preterm birth – birth before 34 weeks’ gestation – by 42%.
Given that prenatal supplements often do not contain the required amount of omega-3s, one option is to simply take an additional omega-3 supplement along with your prenatal vitamin to make up the difference and reap the benefits.
However, omega-3 supplements are not always necessary. The new guidelines recommend that all women of childbearing age consume 250 milligrams of omega-3 per day. This amount can be obtained from about two 3-ounce servings of fatty fish per week, such as salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, and anchovies.
If women increase their intake of omega-3 fatty acids before pregnancy, the recommended intake during pregnancy is lower. This is a way to get rid of the need for apps in the first place.
However, women of childbearing age should also consider mercury levels in fish because of its negative effects on fetal neurodevelopment. While most types of salmon are low in mercury, some fish rich in omega-3s can be moderate in mercury. It is important to consult local health guidelines regarding mercury levels in fish to ensure safe consumption levels.
What is still unknown
Omega-3 fatty acids are chemically unstable molecules that are inherently fragile and thus prone to oxidation, a process in which oxygen breaks down the molecule, rendering it ineffective. Studies have shown wide variations in the level of oxidation in commercial omega-3 supplements. To make matters worse, there are few indicators of the quality of omega-3 supplements.
However, despite the high risk of oxidation, commercially available omega-3 supplements have shown clear benefits in clinical trials.
What’s next
Given the conflicting levels of omega-3 fatty acids in prenatal supplements, their instability, and the potential for dietary sources before pregnancy to offset the need for supplements, more research is needed to understand how to motivate increased omega-3 intake in women. childbearing age.
Recognizing that many women will still need omega-3 from supplemental sources, longitudinal studies tracking omega-3 levels in prenatal supplements will be critical.
In addition, continued efforts are needed to promote the translation of this information in the clinical setting to ensure that pregnant women and their caregivers can use the great potential of omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention of preterm birth.
