May 2019
Moms & Babies
M AY ’ S
Omega-3s improve child cognition, reduce autism symptoms Mom’s DHA boosts infant problem-solving In the third trimester of pregnancy, infant brains experience a large growth spurt. Mothers’ DHA levels at that time influence infant DHA levels at three months, and cognitive development at 12 months. In this study, doctors measured DHA levels in 32 pregnant women at week 28 and again at three months postpartum, and in their offspring at three, six, and 12 months. At three months, children of mothers with higher DHA levels also had higher DHA levels themselves. And, at 12 months, children whose mothers had adequate DHA levels during the third trimester were better able to solve problems compared to children whose mothers had lower DHA levels while pregnant. Discussing the results, doctors said it is the fatty acid content in membranes of circulating red blood cells during pregnancy that have the strongest link to later problem-solving skills, and that higher problem-solving scores in infancy translate directly to higher childhood IQ scores later.
Omega-3s with GLA reduce autism symptoms Because children don’t receive a formal diagnosis of autism spectrum
disorder (ASD) until at least age four, most autism studies have focused on these older kids. Doctors felt they might have the best hope of improving ASD by starting younger, and focused on prematurely born children, who are more likely to develop ASD. In this study, doctors gave 28 kids born at least 11 weeks premature, omega-3, -6, and -9, including 338 mg EPA, 225 mg DHA, and 83 mg GLA per day, or a canola oil placebo containing alpha-linolenic, linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids. After three months, the omega-3 group saw significantly improved ASD symptom scores. Discussing the findings, doctors said in ASD, some metabolic pathways for processing fatty acids may not be as efficient as in healthy people, and that GLA may combine with fatty acids so the brain can use omega-3s more efficiently. Reference: Nutrients; 2018, Vol. 10, No. 5, 529
Healthy Insight
Vitamin K for Vision
Good vision depends on good circulation in the eye, and matrix Gla protein (MGP) helps prevent calcium buildup in blood vessels and arteries (vascular buildup), promoting good circulation. But MGP needs adequate levels of vitamin K to become activated. In this study, doctors measured vitamin K levels in 935 men and women, and followed up 11 years later. Those with the highest levels of vitamin K also had the greatest levels of activated MGP. Doctors also saw that those with the highest levels of inactive MGP were most likely to have smaller vascular diameter in the retina of the eye, reducing circulation. Reference: Scientific Reports; October, 2018, Vol. 8, Article No. 15088
This Issue
Vitamin D and omega-3 improve PCOS
2
Pycnogenol® and folic acid for men’s reproductive health
2
Quercetin speeds recovery, reduces muscle damage
3
Early-Stage Discoveries in Nutrition
3
Prebiotics improve metabolics in women with adult acne
4