Omega-3 Supplements During Pregnancy: The Best of Fish Without the Risks of Mercury Poisoning

The development of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be linked to a child’s exposure to mercury contained in fish consumed by the mother during pregnancy. However, eating fish during pregnancy is important because the Omega-3s in this food have significant benefits on fetal development, and later on the child. What might seem like an inevitable vicious cycle was revealed by a study from the Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston (USA) published in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine.

Fortunately, there are several ways to benefit from the positive effects of Omega-3s while avoiding the risk of excessive mercury intake. On one hand, pregnant women should limit fish consumption to no more than two servings per week and avoid fish that can accumulate excessive amounts of the metal; on the other hand, there are alternative sources of Omega-3s that do not carry the same risks as fish: pharmaceutical-grade supplements.

Omega-3s: Allies for a Successful Pregnancy

Past studies have shown that during pregnancy, consuming Omega-3s and fish rich in them promotes both maternal health and the child’s health. These nutrients are important to ensure the proper development of the fetal nervous system. Their action, however, does not stop there. Children of women who consumed high amounts of Omega-3s are also exposed to a lower risk of developing eczema, allergies, and inflammatory conditions. Finally, those who received these valuable nutrients already in the womb tend to have higher IQs and a lower probability of developing ADHD. Moreover, Omega-3s favor a positive pregnancy outcome by reducing oxidative stress, perinatal deaths, and neonatal seizures.

Fish During Pregnancy: Yes or No?

To ensure an adequate intake of Omega-3s, it is possible to rely on their main dietary sources, i.e., fatty fish such as anchovies and sardines. For this reason, experts recommend pregnant women eat at least two servings of fish per week. However, this new research highlights how fish can be dangerous. Analysis of mercury levels in mothers during pregnancy, closely linked to fish consumption, revealed that their children developed ADHD more frequently the higher the mercury amount was.

In fact, the problem could be even more serious, as previous studies have suggested that mercury exposure might also be linked to the development of autism spectrum disorders, microcephaly, developmental delays, blindness, and seizures. Nevertheless, fish cannot be banned during pregnancy because it also provides very important nutrients, including, as mentioned, Omega-3s. Experts still recommend not exceeding two servings per week and avoiding fish that tend to accumulate the highest amounts of mercury, such as shark, swordfish, mackerel, and fresh tuna.

Only Purified Fish Oil Supplements

Another way to bypass this issue is to take purified fish oil supplements that meet international standards regarding contaminants. By carefully reading the product label and checking for any third-party laboratory certifications, such as IFOS, it is possible to ensure you purchase supplements free from dangerous doses of mercury or other pollutants.

Source Sagiv SK, Thurston SW, Bellinger DC, Amarasiriwardena C, Korrick SA, “Prenatal Exposure to Mercury and Fish Consumption During Pregnancy and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder-Related Behavior in Children”, Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2012 Oct 8:1-9. doi: 10.1001/archpediatrics.2012.1286