Omega-3 in pregnancy: an anti-allergy shield for the baby
Would you like to give your baby a superpower? Then read the results of the studies we report very carefully, because there seems to be a relationship between the intake of Omega-3 during pregnancy and the lower risk, for newborns, of developing allergies.
What the studies say
- They support the development of the fetus' nervous system.
- They improve the functions of the placenta.
- They reduce the risk of premature births.
- They help you keep your blood pressure under control.
The benefits of Omega-3 during pregnancy are known and confirmed by numerous studies. But research continues and the results are increasingly surprising…
Several clinical studies had already shown a link between the intake of fish oil or walnuts and the reduction of the risk of developing allergies in newborns. But a fundamental piece was still missing: the “why”.
Today we have it. The research published in The Journal of Physiology, conducted by a team of researchers from the INRA Research Institute in Rennes led by Gaëlle Boudry, has shed light on the “why”: Omega-3s produce a modification in the development of the fetus’ intestine that would favor the correct development of the immune system.
What is this change? Omega-3 fatty acids appear to make the child's intestines more "permeable." And this permeability allows bacteria and substances in the intestines to pass more easily through its walls to enter the bloodstream and stimulate the immune response. This translates into a decreased likelihood of developing allergies.
For now, researchers have obtained evidence of this correlation by observing the diet of pigs, this animal model is considered excellent because these animals have an intestine very similar to ours. The research, of course, will then be extended to humans.
We, as pioneers of quality and visionaries of nutraceuticals, remain waiting for developments to continue to tell you how Omega-3 can help the immune system of the little ones to become stronger and more reactive.
