Fish oil - new study shows no benefit!

[Maruschke]

Anyone read this article in the news today?

Reference here.

IT'S promoted as beneficial to mum and baby, but a major Australian study has found no noticeable effect among women who took fish oil capsules during pregnancy.

The research, conducted over five years, looked at 2400 pregnant women who were given fish oil capsules or an identical vegetable oil placebo during the latter phase of their pregnancy.

The outcome was the same for both groups despite the benefits of fish oil being widely promoted on the internet and by some medical professionals and pregnancy health guidelines.

"There was no significant difference in either the incidence of post-natal depression (for mums) or neuro developmental outcomes of their children," said Professor Maria Makrides from the University of Adelaide.

"These results show that recommendations to increase omega 3 fatty acids in pregnancy are being made without sound evidence."


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Women with a history of depression were more likely to experience post natal depression as a new mum, but there was no benefit seen from those who took fish oil compared to the vegetable oil placebo.

Similarly, 700 children from the study group were assessed for cognitive and language development at 18 months of age and there were no marked differences.

Prof Makrides said earlier research from the US and Europe which suggested benefits from eating fish during pregnancy could be skewed by social factors, as families who were more affluent could afford to eat more fish and seafood.

"Despite the paucity of hard evidence, women are being recommended to increase their intake of fish oil fats in pregnancy, and the nutritional supplement industry is successfully marketing products with fish oil, claiming they optimise brain function in both mother and infant," she said.

"Before omega 3 supplementation in pregnancy becomes widespread, it is important to establish not only any benefits, but also any risks to mother or child."

Prof Makrides is Professor of Human Nutrition at the University of Adelaide and Deputy Director of the Women's and Children's Health Research Institute.

Her research, funded by a $1.6 million National Health and Medical Research Centre (NHMRC) grant, is published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

It follows the release of a US study, published this month, in which scientists unexpectedly found a negative effect of fish oil.

One fatty acid - docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) - was found to promote cancer growth in mice that were prone to bowel diseases.

"We hypothesised that feeding fish oil enriched with DHA to mice would decrease the cancer risk. We actually found the opposite," said Dr Jenifer Fenton, from Michigan State University.

"Our findings support a growing body of literature implicating harmful effects of high doses of fish oil consumption in relation to certain diseases."

Read more: If you're pregnant and you know it, fish oil won't help - study | News.com.au

[LimeSlice]

Not sure about during pregnancy, however have certainly seen the effect Cod Liver Oil is has had on Charlotte's behaviour and how it worsens if she doesn't have it.
It also matter what fish oil you take as to its effects, etc.

Meh, I take it every day anyway and notice the difference in myself too, never took more of it or anything because I was pregnant though

[Maruschke]

I take it when TTC for the benefits in CM. I also notice that it is made into a big deal in the pg multivitamins and also in formula.

[berrme]

Cod liver oil is different to fish oil. It has lots of stuff other than the omega 3, so has other benefits.

I never took fish oil during pg. Won't be this time either.

[Traveller]

I take it daily, and if I forget for a few days my acne flairs up, so it's worth it just for that side effect. My kids also take it and with DS1 especially his behaviour improves when taking fish oil capsules. I'm happy to keep giving it to them anyway.

[LimeSlice]

Yep exactly, which is why we use it. Shame everyone seems to be so focused on the omega 3 hype they forget to find out what other benefits there are in other fish oils, and even the actual content of their fish oil they use.

[berrme]

You don't see Cod Liver Oil ads all over the TV though.
My chiro/ kinesiologist is very clear that all supplements are not made equal either. He will tell me which brand makes the best whatever it is that he wants me to take... and it isn't always the same brand.

Keep in mind that mice get cancer very easily too. Also people take more of things than they need to 'cause they think it is good for them. Too much folate or iodine can be bad too. Don't go overboard and you should be OK.

[boomba]

what type are you giving your kids girls....this may help DS1? Is it hard for them to take?

Sorry to hijack!

[Traveller]

We use Nature's Way Kidsmart fish oil, which I buy in Coles. It comes in different flavoured fish shaped capsules. The kids beg for them if I forget to give them one with breakfast, they love the taste.

[LimeSlice]

Not at all Boomba - you get in liquid form, a teaspoon a day and it works wonders. You will notice it after only a few days. (more the point you will notie the difference if you STOP using it for a few days! lol)
There are also some brands of capsules that are quite soft, Charlotte just chews on them and spits out the case (has been doing this since 9 months old and no issues).

Definitly find the COD LIVER OIL, you will need to go to a Health Food store...We use Melrose brand.

This is true Berrme! People are so easily led by advertising hype.

[boomba]

Great thanks Traveller....is ther an age limit on it? Ds1 is only 3?

Thanks lime I will head there this arvo...I think the liquid may be better

[bon]

I thought that a recent study showed that a large percentage of pregnant women are not getting enough iodine, which is an essential nutrient, and that is why fish oil supplements are recommended? So if taking fish oil makes no discernible difference that therefore means that either 1. Most pregnant women are, in fact, not iodine deficient and are getting enough of the nutrient naturally or 2. Being deficient in iodine is not a problem for the mother or the baby, and iodine is not as essential to a baby's development in the womb as has previously been believed.

It would be interesting to read the full findings of the study...

I also take fish oil every day, but I am going to take a closer look at the label and maybe switch to cod liver oil after reading this.

[luna moth]

I don't think you take fish oils for iodine, bon. Just the Omega 3s. Iodine is included in pregnancy multis, or can be obtained through iodised salt. Or shellfish.

Anyway, I'm thrilled, because I haven't taken any fish oil for my own ethical reasons and was getting the guilts over it.

[Maruschke]

I don't think you take fish oils for iodine, bon. Just the Omega 3s. Iodine is included in pregnancy multis, or can be obtained through iodised salt. Or shellfish.

Anyway, I'm thrilled, because I haven't taken any fish oil for my own ethical reasons and was getting the guilts over it.

Hi Audax, I didn't recognise you with your new name and avvy, super congrats on the pg! I understand your personal reasons for not wanting to take fish oil, are there any other alternatives?

[luna moth]

Thanks! I can't believe you figured it out so quick!

Flaxseed oil is one alternative, and chia seeds, which have 8 times as much Omega 3 w/w than salmon. So in theory, I take both. In practice, I hate flaxseed oil, and conveniently "forget" from time to time. The chia seeds are so good though.

[Maruschke]

Thanks! I can't believe you figured it out so quick!

Flaxseed oil is one alternative, and chia seeds, which have 8 times as much Omega 3 w/w than salmon. So in theory, I take both. In practice, I hate flaxseed oil, and conveniently "forget" from time to time. The chia seeds are so good though.

DH eats a lot of chia seeds! He loves them. He makes a 'treat' for us, which is a mixture of different seeds and nuts glued together with corn syrup or rice syrup, it's a great way to get the nutrients you want out of seeds and nuts. I should pester him for the recipe.

[berrme]

Thanks! I can't believe you figured it out so quick!

Well, I only just worked it out! How slow am I? Congrats from me too.

That was totally off topic...sorry.