Since premature birth is a leading cause of death for children under 5 years of age, any successful method of reducing the risk is very important (Middleton et al, 2018).
A new systematic review was published 4 days ago on the prestigious Cochrane database looking at the use of Omega-3 supplements in pregnancy. It showed that omega-3’s, such as that from highly purified fish oil, reduced the risk of premature birth by 42% before 34 weeks gestation. Omega-3 consumption also reduced the risk of having a small baby by 10% (Middleton et al, 2018).
At Essendon Natural Health, we only recommend and use highly purified omega-3 supplements that are produced in Australia from small, cold water fish from sustainable fisheries. These products have been tested and filtered for over 200 contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, and industrial wastes. Extra steps have been made to make sure that these products are not rancid and are stable throughout their shelf life. The same standard is not applied to OTC fish oil supplements so beware of cheap imitations.
For more information about fish oils, ask our team of naturopaths. Find out more about our naturopaths here: Naturopathy Melbourne North West
For information about fertility and pregnancy, see or Acupuncture for fertility page.
Citation: Middleton P, Gomersall JC, Gould JF, Shepherd E, Olsen SF, Makrides M. Omega-3 fatty acid addition during pregnancy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2018, Issue 11 . Art. No.: CD003402. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003402.pub3
Natalie is an empathetic and caring Clinical Naturopath who creates a relaxed and non-judgemental environment for her clients. She has a special interest in the management of skin conditions and digestive disturbances. She is registered with the National Herbalists Association of Australia (NHAA).
