A new study from the US National Institutes of Health and Bristol University that questioned 11,875 pregnant women on their dietary habits found that eating more fish during pregnancy resulted in significant, measurable benefits to the communication skills and social standing of their children seven years later.
What you need to know - Mainstream View
• Eating less than 12 oz. of seafood each week was found to result in a 48% increased risk of children ending up in the lowest group of demonstrated verbal intelligence.
• Low fish consumption was also strongly correlated with poor motor skills, troublesome behavior, poor communication skills and lower social status.
• The socioeconomic standing of the mother and family were taken into account so that the ability to afford more fish in the diet did not bias the results.
• Health experts warn against pregnant women eating certain types of fish -- such as tuna -- due to latent mercury content.
• The health benefits of fish consumption are believed to be due to the omega-3 fatty acid content of oily fish.
• Quote: "This idea of fish being toxic has been around for a long time but this study seems to be saying that is a minor problem compared with the benefits you get from fish." - Professor Robert Grimble, professor of nutrition at the University of Southampton
What you need to know - Alternative View
• Nutrition during
pregnancy has a powerful impact on the future
behavior of children. "Problematic" behavior in
children needs to be treated with diet, not drugs.
• The mercury content of fish can be largely nullified by taking chlorella (a superfood supplement) or eating cilantro (a common culinary herb) during the meal that fish is consumed.
• Mercury is found in fish because industrialized nations continue to pollute the environment with mercury from dental fillings ("silver" fillings) and coal-fired power plants. Mercury fillings introduce over 300 metric tons of mercury into the environment each year.
• In the U.S., the FDA warns women about the health hazards of excess mercury consumption, but fails to inform the public of the tremendous health benefits of oily fish.
• Great nutrition during pregnancy creates smarter kids with healthier nervous systems and better language skills, which leads to greater social success and career success.
• Quote: "Expectant mothers should eat more oily fish and boost their intake of fatty acids like DHA, which are available in nutritional supplements." - Mike Adams, author of The 7 Laws of Nutrition.
Recommended Resources
• Fish
oil supplements from Nordic Naturals, the Life Extension Foundation or other trusted sources.
• Metal Magic cilantro / chlorella tincture from Baseline Nutritionals blocks the absorption of the majority of mercury found in fish.
• Activated charcoal supplements can also protect against mercury in food sources.
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About the author: Mike Adams is a consumer health advocate and award-winning journalist with a passion for teaching people how to improve their health He has authored and published thousands of articles, interviews, consumers guides, and books on topics like health and the environment, reaching millions of readers with information that is saving lives and improving personal health around the world. Adams is an independent journalist with strong ethics who does not get paid to write articles about any product or company. In 2010, Adams launched NaturalNews.TV, a natural health video site featuring videos on holistic health and green living. He also launched an online retailer of environmentally-friendly products (BetterLifeGoods.com) and uses a portion of its profits to help fund non-profit endeavors. He's also a successful software entrepreneur, having founded a well known email marketing software company whose technology currently powers the NaturalNews email newsletters. Adams volunteers his time to serve as the executive director of the Consumer Wellness Center, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, and regularly pursues cycling, nature photography, Capoeira and Pilates. He's also author of numerous health books published by Truth Publishing and is the creator of several consumer-oriented grassroots campaigns, including the Spam. Don't Buy It! campaign, and the free downloadable Honest Food Guide. He also created the free reference sites HerbReference.com and HealingFoodReference.com. Adams believes in free speech, free access to nutritional supplements and the ending of corporate control over medicines, genes and seeds. Known on the 'net as 'the Health Ranger,' Adams shares his ethics, mission statements and personal health statistics at www.HealthRanger.org
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Thursday, February 15, 2007
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