Expectant mothers taking omega-3 supplements during pregnancy will not have smarter children, according to a new study by the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI) and the University of Adelaide.
After studying over 600 children from birth until the age of four, researchers found that children whose mothers took omega-3 supplements and those who were given only a placebo had no differences in areas of cognition, language and motor skills.
Lead researcher and professor Maria Makrides of SAHMRI says the findings of the study are “significant”, considering there are recommendations for pregnant women throughout the world to increase their intake of the omega-3 fatty accid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to improve their unborn child’s brain development.
The Australian researchers said their study does not support DHA omega-3 supplementation to boost early childhood development.
Source: The University of Adelaide.
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