Due to widespread dietary deficiencies of essential omega-3 fatty acids, doctors typically recommend that pregnant women add an Omega-3 supplement to their pre and postnatal care regimen. Recent research, conducted at the University of Kansas Medical Center and published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, suggests supplementing pregnant mothers with omega-3 fatty acid, such as found in Omega XL, can lead to longer gestations and healthier birth weights.
The Kansans City researchers designed a double-blind, randomized placebo controlled trial - long considered the gold standard in clinical research that looked at a group of 350 pregnant women, from the 20th week of gestation to birth, who were given either 600 mg of omega-3 DHA daily, or a placebo. Blood was analyzed for red blood cell phospholipid DHA upon enrolment in the study and at birth, from both mom as well as from the umbilical cord.
The blood samples from the group supplemented with DHA, compared to the placebo group, registered higher levels of phospholipid DHA both maternally and at the umbilical cord. An analysis of the pregnancies showed that the DHA group experienced longer gestation duration, greater birth weight and infant size (measured in length and head circumference) than the placebo group. In addition, the DHA group experienced fewer births before 34 weeks, and shorter hospital stays for infants born preterm than did the placebo group.
This study demonstrated that 600mg per day of Omega-3 fatty acid DHA was safe and helped to promote healthy fetal development, overall pregnancy wellness and a reduction in preterm births. The researchers stated as to the significance of the findings: a reduction in early preterm and very-low birth weight could be important clinical and public health outcomes of DHA supplementation.
These findings come on the heels of prior prenatal and pediatric research which suggests that omega-3 supplementation promotes neurological and intellectual development, supports the brain and eyes, increases cognitive function, and enhances visual learning and memory in infants and young children.
Omega XL is one of only two Omega 3 supplements sold in the world that contains the patented stabilized marine lipid extract PCSO-524 derived only from the New Zealand green-lipped mussel, with 30 healthy fatty acids including DHA and EPA. Sold in other parts of the world under its sister brand name Lyprinol, Omega XL is manufactured exclusively by Great HealthWorks Inc., and is the most widely available omega-3 fish oil supplement containing the potent PCSO-524 marine lipid extract. To find more information about Omega XL and PCSO-524 visit http://www.OmegaXL.com
SOURCE:
February 20, 2013, doi: 10.3945/ajcn.112.050021
Am J Clin Nutr April 2013, DHA supplementation and pregnancy outcomes. ajcn.050021
http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/early/2013/02/18/ajcn.112.050021.abstract
Great HealthWorks, founded in 2003, is a global manufacturer and distributor of natural products direct to consumer through its integrated operation, as well as publishes New You, a quarterly magazine focused on health, beauty and anti-aging. Its flagship product, Omega XL
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