Originally published February 24 2008
Health Authorities Flip Flop on Advising Pregnant Women to Eat More Fish
by David Gutierrez, staff writer
(NaturalNews) The National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition has issued an advisory recommending that pregnant and breast-feeding women eat 12 or more ounces of fish or other seafood each week in order to supply essential nutrients for their child's brain and nervous system development.
This advice contradicts that originally issued by the U.S. government in 2001 and reaffirmed in 2004, which advises pregnant and nursing women, as well as young children or women who are trying to become pregnant, to eat a maximum of 12 ounces of seafood each week.
"Every single day, I get questions from my patients about this, because it is such a confusing area," said Ashley Roman, an obstetrician and new mother who participated in the panel that led to the new recommendation.
The U.S. government warns that seafood is particularly high in mercury, a potent neurotoxin that may have more severe effects on a developing fetus or child. In particular, the FDA and Environmental Protection Agency have advised that at-risk populations entirely avoid king mackerel, shark, swordfish or tilefish and eat a maximum of six ounces of albacore tuna per week.
But the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition -- which has almost 150 members, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention -- says that concerns over mercury in seafood are exaggerated, whereas the benefits provided by such food are critical and well-supported.
In particular, seafood advocates cite the importance of omega-3 fatty acids in the development of the healthy brain and nervous system. They also cite studies that have linked low omega-3 intake to a higher risk of premature birth, low birth weight, and depression for the mother.
"What nobody is telling expectant mothers," explained consumer health advocate Mike Adams, "is that if you take chlorella and cilantro at the same time you consume fish, the chlorella binds to the mercury and removes it from the body, thereby protecting both the mother and the fetus from most of the toxic effects of mercury."
Non-seafood sources of essential omega-3 fatty acids include flax and other oil seeds, acai palm fruit, certain microalgae and supplements or omega-3-fortified foods.
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