One study showed that providing greater amounts of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an omega-3 PUFA, and arachidonic acid, an omega-6 PUFA, to preterm infants with very low birth weights resulted in improved cognition. Preterm infant formulas in the U.S. provide less of these fatty acids than the infant would receive had it remained in the womb.

“This study provides additional evidence that the fatty acids an infant receives from the mother during pregnancy are critically important for brain development,” said Editor Joyce Nettleton, D.Sc. “If these findings are confirmed, they suggest that the long-chain PUFA content of preterm infant formula may need to be increased.”

Studies on TPN, intravenous feeding for the seriously ill, also question current U.S. regulations. In infants with severe liver disease and short bowel syndrome, a fish oil-based preparation significantly reversed the disease more quickly and more often compared with the standard soybean oil preparation. In the U.S., fish oil TPN must be imported from Europe and is approved only under compassionate circumstances.

“Fish oil-based TPN saves lives and hastens the recovery of infants with short bowel syndrome,” Nettleton said. “Evidence from these studies may help ease U.S. regulations so that fish oil-based TPN will be widely available across the country.”

Other research examined infant cognitive development related to their mothers’ exposure to high levels of mercury, PCBs and omega-3 fatty acids from eating seafood during pregnancy. In spite of their exposure to these contaminants, the infants’ high level of prenatal DHA was linked to better outcomes, such as greater birth weight, gestational age, visual acuity, and higher mental and psychomotor developmental scores.

“These studies do not justify ignoring contaminants in seafood, but they add to a large body of evidence that the benefits of eating most species of fish during pregnancy outweigh the risks,” Nettleton noted.

By: Fats of Life – Tue, 07/29/2008 – 13:55

“Our findings suggest that a mother’s diet that alters DNA methylation can affect the development of the fetus’s immune system, predisposing it to allergic airway disease,” said David Schwartz, MD, senior author on the paper and Professor of Medicine at National Jewish Health. “It also suggests the dramatic increase in asthma during the past two decades may be related in part to recent changes in dietary supplementation among women of childbearing age.”

The prevalence of asthma has nearly doubled in the past 25 years. Asthma currently affects about 11 percent of the US population and accounts for $9.4 billion in direct healthcare costs. Although both genes and environment are believed to play a role in the development of asthma, scientists have been unable to definitively identify specific causes of the disease or explain the rise in prevalence.

Epigenetics is the study of gene regulation. Environmental exposures can lead to modification of methyl groups (CH3) binding to certain DNA molecules, which can result in modified expression of specific genes. A variety of environmental factors, including diet, tobacco smoke, and medications, can modify methyl groups binding to DNA, particularly during periods of vulnerability. Although no changes occur in the genetic code, epigenetic effects can be passed to offspring. Emerging research has indicated that epigenetic mechanisms can affect the development of the immune system, skewing it either toward or away from a predisposition to allergies.

The research team decided to examine the potential role of epigenetics in the development of allergic asthma. They fed pregnant mice diets either high or low in methyl donors. In addition to folic acid, the high methyl-donor diets additionally contained higher levels of L-methionine, choline, and genistein.

When the researchers evaluated offspring mice using a model of allergic asthma, they found that mice, whose mothers had the high methyl-donor diets, showed greater severity of asthma; more airway hyperreactivity, more allergic inflammation in their airways, and higher levels of the IgE in their blood. They also found that T cells were more likely to be the type associated with allergy.

The male offspring also transmitted a higher predisposition to allergic airway disease to their progeny. In contrast, mice exposed to high-methyl-donor diets during lactation or adulthood showed no increased propensity to allergic sensitization.

“There seems to be a crucial stage, during development in utero, when a young mouse is susceptible to epigenetic changes that can alter its immune system,” said co-author John W. Hollingsworth, Assistant Professor of Medicine at Duke University School of Medicine. “These epigenetic changes may partially explain why it has been so difficult to definitively identify genes that contribute to asthma risk; the effect of genetic variations can be masked or further complicated by epigenetic changes.”

When the researchers analyzed the genomes of the mice, they identified 82 genes that were significantly more methylated in high-methyl-diet (HMD) mice. The 10 most methylated genes were biologically plausible causes of asthma. These genes were transcription factors, which control the expression of many genes, and genes associated with cellular migration and allergic airway disease. The highly methylated genes were expressed at lower levels than less-methylated genes in mice receiving the low-methyl-donor diets.

The current research suggests too much folic acid (and other dietary supplements) during pregnancy may be related to an increased risk of allergies and asthma, and may even play a role in the dramatic increase in asthma prevalence during the past two decades. The U.S. Public Health service recommended in 1992 that all women of childbearing age consume 400 micrograms of folic acid daily to reduce their risk of birth defects of the spine and brain. In 1996 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration required that folic acid be added to specific flour, breads and other grains to prevent birth defects. Research has suggested that these measures have helped reduce birth defects.

Given the important role folic acid supplementation has played in prevention of birth defects, Drs. Schwartz and Hollingsworth do not advise any changes in folic acid supplementation, but do believe the issue is worth further investigation.

By: Duke University Health System – Mon, 09/22/2008 – 15:12

“Many accusations today rely on speculation that tries to link single ingredients, including sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup to obesity,” says Dr. Rippe. “No single food or ingredient is the cause of obesity or overweight children. Eating too many calories and getting too little exercise causes it.”

That message is going out in a 23 market media blitz that includes live and taped reports on television network affiliates, cable, and independents. Dr. Rippe is also speaking on multiple radio stations across the country including local and national radio networks. And, he’s covering the digital spectrum via national broadband. Press releases for print media will coincide with today’s satellite media tour.

Part of the nutrition campaign includes tips to help moms improve children’s eating habits. The tips are simple and easy to do:

* Pack a lunch. Packing a lunch is one of the easiest things you can do to positively influence your child’s diet and make sure they’re avoiding unhealthy foods. Research shows that good nutrition leads to better academic performance and improved behavior.

* Watch the servings! All sweets should be enjoyed in moderation. High fructose corn syrup, sugar and honey all contain the same amount of calories. Nutritionally they are all the same; moderation is the key.

* Stock the fridge and pantry with better-for-you foods. Easy-to-eat fruits, sliced veggies, whole grain snacks and low fat kid-friendly dairy products offer tasty ways to ensure that their after-school snacks are mom-approved.

* Practice what you preach. Mom is role model #1 when it comes to healthy eating habits. Take some time each day to teach your kids about balancing a nutritious diet with regular exercise. Make a habit of after-dinner walks or bike rides. Choose a scenic hike over that Sunday afternoon movie. Incorporating activity into your family’s every day life will help them develop healthy habits early on.

* Don’t skip breakfast! Give your kids a good start to the day by always serving breakfast. Whether you serve cereal and milk, fruit and yogurt, a breakfast bar or toaster waffles, just a few extra minutes in the morning can help them get the most out of the school day.

* Limit screen time. Too much TV, video games or computer time can lead to sedentary habits. Plus, it makes mindless munching all too easy. By limiting your child’s screen time, you can encourage them to be more active and help them cut down on calories that they just don’t need.

* Get moving. It’s not just too many calories that can lead to overweight and obesity. Encourage children to get moving. Active play is good for their growing bodies. And as children get older, organized sports will help ensure they burn off the calories they’re eating. Something as simple as walking to school once in a while instead of being driven by mom helps increase overall calorie expenditure.

By: Rippe Health – Tue, 09/23/2008 – 12:16

A new study at the University of Michigan shows that women who take 1,200 milligrams of calcium daily have up to a 31 percent reduction in lead levels.

Women who used lead-glazed ceramics and those with high bone lead levels showed the largest reductions; the average reduction was about 11 percent, said Howard Hu, chair of the Department of Environmental Health Sciences at the School of Public Health.

Hu is the principal investigator of the study and one of the senior authors on the paper, which is available online in Environmental Health Perspectives, the official journal of the U.S. National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences. Hu, who is also affiliated with the University of Michigan School of Medicine, said this is the first known randomized study examining calcium supplementation on lead levels in pregnant women.

“We and others have previously shown that during pregnancy, mothers can transfer lead from their bones to their unborn — with significant adverse consequences–making maternal bone lead stores a threat even if current environmental lead exposures are low,” Hu said. “This study demonstrates that dietary calcium supplementation during pregnancy may constitute a low-cost and low-risk approach for reducing this threat.”

Lead exposure is a great concern for pregnant and lactating women, especially in developing countries where lead exposures have been high until recently, and for women with occupational exposure. Developing fetuses and nursing babies are exposed to lead from either current exposures to mothers or from the mobilization of maternal skeletal lead stores accumulated from prior years of exposure. Bone lead can stay in the body for decades, so even with minimal environmental exposure, the fetus or nursing infant can still be at great risk from maternal stores of lead.

Lead exposure during fetal development and infancy can cause low birth weight or slow weight gain after birth, cognitive defects such as lower intelligence scores, lower motor and visual skills, or even miscarriage. Damage from lead exposure and poisoning is usually permanent.

“The bottom line is that obstetricians and pediatricians should consider adding calcium supplementation to the prenatal vitamins normally recommended in pregnant women, particularly if their patients have a significant history of environmental or occupational lead exposure,” Hu said.

The study showed that reductions in blood lead levels were more evident in the second trimester at 14 percent than in the third trimester at 8 percent. The most compliant group of women in the study (those who consumed greater than 75 percent of the assigned 1,200 milligram doses of calcium per day) showed a 24 percent decrease. Women in the most compliant group who also reported using lead glazed ceramics and had the highest bone lead levels saw the greatest reduction of 31 percent.

Researchers analyzed 557 women recruited from the Mexican Social Security Institute prenatal clinics, which treat the low to moderate income population of Mexico City. All were in their first trimester; roughly half were assigned calcium and half a placebo.

This recent study corresponds with a previous study performed by the same group of investigators showing that 1,200-milligram daily calcium supplementation during lactation reduced maternal blood lead by 15-20 percent, and breast milk lead by 5-10 percent. This is the first randomized trial to evaluate the effect of supplementation during pregnancy, when lead is more easily transferred to the fetus, Hu said.

By: University Of Michigan – Fri, 09/12/2008 – 15:01

The effects of the conditions occur within the first few weeks of pregnancy, often before a woman is aware that she is pregnant.

Alina Flores, a health education specialist at CDC’s National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, said, “It is crucial for every woman, but especially for Hispanics, to take folic acid every day even before getting pregnant, so that we can continue to decrease the number of children born with neural tube defects.” Hispanic women have a 30% to 40% increased risk for having children with neural tube birth defects.

Folic acid has been found to prevent up to 70% of such birth defects and can easily be consumed by taking daily supplements. Flores said, “Many Hispanic women believe that vitamins with folic acid are just for pregnant women, that they make you gain weight, that they are very costly or that you need a prescription.” She added, “None of these myths is true” (North Denver News, 1/7).

Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork.org. You can view the entire Kaiser Weekly Health Disparities Report, search the archives, and sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork.org/email . The Kaiser Weekly Health Disparities Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. © 2007 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.

By: kaisernetwork.org – Fri, 01/09/2009 – 14:59

According to the Post,the coalition’s guidelines on consumption of seafood during pregnancyand immediately after pregnancy %26quot;are at odds%26quot; with current FDA and Environmental Protection Agency guidelines (Squires, Washington Post,10/4). FDA and EPA in 2005 issued warnings that advise young children,pregnant women, nursing women and women of childbearing age to avoidconsuming swordfish, king mackerel, shark and tilefish because of highmercury levels. The warnings also recommend that those groups no morethan 12 ounces of fish weekly and eat no more than six ounces of cannedalbacore tuna weekly.

The guidelines were prompted by somestudies that showed that high levels of mercury — which accumulates inthe environment, as well as in the flesh of fish and the bodies ofthose who eat fish — contribute to birth defects and other healthproblems. Several studies also demonstrated a subtle loss of mentalacuity in the offspring of women who consumed fish during pregnancy (Kaiser Daily Women’s Health Policy Report,7/13/06). Fish and seafood are the major dietary sources of omega-3fatty acids, which are important nutrients for the brain and nervoussystem in developing fetuses, infants and young children, the Post reports.

New Guidelines

The Healthy Mothers guidelines recommend eating 12 ounces or more offish and seafood weekly to ensure healthy brain development. Theguidelines recommend eating ocean fish, such as salmon, tuna andsardines, which are highest in omega-3s. According to the Post,fish is high in the mineral selenium. The panel of experts that createdthe guidelines said "there is a growing body of evidence that seleniumin ocean fish may also counteract the potential negative influence ofmercury exposure."

The new guidelines also recommend higher fish and seafood consumption to protect women’s health, the Post reports. According to James McGregor, a University of Southern Californiaobstetrician who headed the Maternal Nutrition Group, women who do notconsume enough omega-3s in pregnancy seem to have a higher risk ofdepression during pregnancy and after giving birth.

Previous Research, Reaction

A study published in the Lancetearlier this year found that children of women who ate only smallamounts of fish during pregnancy had lower IQs and lower academic testscores at age eight and more behavioral and social problems throughoutearly development than children whose mothers ate 12 or more ounces perweek. Other studies also have indicated that consuming low levels ofomega-3s found in fish can raise the risk of premature birth and lowbirthweight.

"There is a big debate about what is safe,"Patricia Nolan, one of the experts who drafted the new guidelines and aprofessor at Brown University,said, adding, "There are really complex questions. That is why we aredoing this." FDA said it plans to study the recommendations but is notprepared to change its advice at the time, the Post reports (Washington Post, 10/4).

Reprinted with permission from kaisernetwork.org. Youcan view the entire Kaiser DailyHealth Policy Report, search the archives, and sign up for email deliveryat kaisernetwork.org/email. The Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report is published for kaisernetwork.org, afree service of The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. 2007 Advisory BoardCompany and Kaiser Family Foundation. All rights reserved.

By: Kaisernetwork.org – Thu, 10/04/2007 – 18:30

%26quot;It’s misleading to urge pregnant women to eat more fish without mentioning the documented public health risks associated with fish or how consuming more seafood is diminishing the world’s fisheries stocks.

"The coalition failed to warm the public that farmed fish, especially farmed salmon, often contain antibiotics, colorants and pesticides, several of which are known carcinogens. In addition some marine species can contain contaminants like PCBs and flame retardants.

"Fish are not the only source of essential omega-3 fatty acids. Pregnant women can eat eggs, flax, nuts, and kiwi fruits and still receive high concentrations of omega-3s without worrying about possible contaminants.

"Not all fish are equal in the nutrition benefits they offer. This selective repacking of science, combined with push polling, misleads and confuses the public."

By: National Environmental Trust – Sat, 10/06/2007 – 13:43

The National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition’srecent recommendations for fish and seafood consumption for pregnantand breast-feeding women are %26quot;misleading%26quot; and a %26quot;classic example ofindustry-driven marketing under the cloak of scientific research,%26quot;Andrea Kavanagh, director of the National Environmental Trust’s Pure Salmon Campaign, writes in a Los Angeles Times opinion piece (Kavanagh, Los Angeles Times, 10/31).

The coalition is a not-for-profit group with nearly 150 members, including the American Academy of Pediatrics, March of Dimes, CDC and the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.The guidelines, released earlier this month, recommended that pregnantand breast-feeding women should consume at least 12 ounces of fish andseafood weekly for optimal brain development of fetuses, infants andyoung children. The group recommended eating ocean fish, such assalmon, tuna and sardines, which are highest in omega-3s. Theguidelines also recommended higher fish and seafood consumption toprotect women’s health.

The coalition’s guidelines conflict with current FDA and Environmental Protection Agencyguidelines. FDA and EPA in 2005 issued separate warnings that adviseyoung children, pregnant women, nursing women and women of childbearingage to avoid consuming swordfish, king mackerel, shark and tilefishbecause of high mercury levels. The warnings also recommended thatthose groups consume no more than 12 ounces of fish weekly and eat nomore than six ounces of canned albacore tuna weekly (Kaiser Daily Women’s Health Policy Report,10/11). Some members of the coalition declined to endorse theguidelines, and some members criticized the coalition for accepting a$60,000 grant from the National Fisheries Institute, a fishing industry trade association, to help fund the research (Kaiser Daily Women’s Health Policy Report, 10/18).

Kavanaghwrites that it is "disturbing" that the coalition would "encourag[e]pregnant women to increase their consumption of fish despite thewell-known risk of mercury and other contaminants commonly found incertain seafoods." In addition, the "researchers who developed thereport … didn’t bother to vet its decidedly contentious findings andadvice with the coalition’s wider membership before public release,"Kavanagh writes.

The "selective repackaging of science, combinedwith slick marketing to sell more fish to pregnant women and women ofchildbearing age, show the height of corporate irresponsibility,"Kavanagh writes, concluding that the report is "one fishy marketingscheme that consumers should throw back" (Los Angeles Times, 10/31).
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Reprinted with permission fromkaisernetwork.org.You can view the entire KaiserDaily Women’s Health Policy Report, search thearchives, and sign up for email delivery at kaisernetwork.org/email. The Kaiser Daily Women’s Health Policy Report is published forkaisernetwork.org, a free service of The Henry J. Kaiser FamilyFoundation. 2007 Advisory Board Company and Kaiser FamilyFoundation. All rights reserved.

By: kaisernetwork.org – Thu, 11/01/2007 – 07:24

Whilst vitamin D deficiency is common among the white population, many cases of rickets in the UK are seen in Asian, Afro-Caribbean and Middle Eastern children, with some research suggesting incidence of the disease could be as high as 1 in 100 children in ethnic minority groups. Dark-skinned people do not absorb as much sunlight through the skin and may also wear clothing that limits exposure to the sun for cultural reasons.

While the actual prevalence of rickets is hard to define, more and more healthcare professionals are diagnosing cases of vitamin D deficiency. There is seasonal variation in vitamin D status: it is lowest during winter, when we rely on body stores and dietary intake to maintain adequate levels. In winter months at latitudes of 52 degrees north (above Birmingham), there is no ultraviolet light of the appropriate wavelength for the body to make vitamin D in the skin.

Beneficiaries of the Healthy Start scheme can obtain free Healthy Start Vitamins for Women and Healthy Start Children’s Vitamin Drops through their GP or Health Visitor.

Health Minister Dawn Primarolo said:

"The Healthy Start scheme is designed to improve the health of some of our most vulnerable families. We encourage people who are eligible to take advantage of the free vitamins, to minimise the risk of developing vitamin D deficiency and other conditions.

"We particularly encourage women who are pregnant or breastfeeding to take vitamin D, to protect the health and wellbeing of their baby and help them get the best possible start in life."

It takes only 15 minutes exposure of the arms, head and shoulders in the sun each day during the summer months to make enough vitamin D for good health. Eating foods like oily fish, eggs, fortified cereals and breads are all sources of vitamin D, but these may still be inadequate when sunshine hours are limited. At these times pregnant and breastfeeding women and children under four may benefit from a supplement containing 10 micrograms of vitamin D. If you think you may be at risk of vitamin D deficiency, check with your general practitioner who may use a blood test to diagnose this deficiency.

Healthcare professionals are concerned at the increasing numbers of children at risk of Vitamin D deficiency in the UK. Dr Colin Michie, a paediatrician at Ealing Hospital says the biggest issue is maternal shortage of vitamin D. He said:

"We are seeing significant numbers of children with vitamin D deficiency. Mothers and babies are simply not getting enough of this important vitamin."

"Most pregnant and breastfeeding women should take a vitamin D supplement to ensure babies get the best start in life. Babies receive vitamin D from their mothers while in the womb, and then from breastmilk until they are weaned. If a pregnant or breastfeeding woman is lacking in vitamin D, the baby will also have low vitamin D and calcium levels which can lead babies to develop seizures in the first months of life."

By: Government News Network – Mon, 12/31/2007 – 05:50

It’s often hard for people to remember to take vitamins, but women (and men) who want to benefit from this B vitamin need only visit their supermarket’s produce aisle or farmers’ market. That’s where they will find strawberries, a natural source of folate.

"The good news for strawberry lovers is that a serving of eight medium berries provides nearly 9 per cent of the daily requirement of folate," says Chris Christian, vice president trade and nutrition of the California Strawberry Commission. "Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, which is especially important for women of child-bearing age because it reduces the chance of some birth defects, such as spina bifida."

Now, a study from researchers at the University of Texas that followed 35,000 pregnant women over four years, found it drastically reduced the chance of premature births, as well.

Folic acid, or folate, helps the body make healthy new cells. Besides occurring naturally in foods like strawberries, it is often used to enrich breads and cereals. But the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that the majority of child-bearing aged women were not meeting their daily requirements.

Folate doesn’t just help those giving life, but also those who are aging. It also may be cardioprotective, aid in neurological function and have anti-cancer properties.

In addition to folate, strawberries provide an array of nutrients that may play important roles in heart and brain disease prevention, including vitamin C, potassium, and flavonoids such as anthocyanins, the natural pigments responsible for the red color of strawberries.

By: California Strawberry Commission – Thu, 02/07/2008 – 04:45