Pregnancy and fish: What's safe to eat?

Nice summary on fish in pregnancy. I have not heard any parents use this excuse that they are going to the lake to catch some brain healthy Omega-3's. But, certain fish may be better catches than others. JR

Pregnancy and fish: What's safe to eat?

By Mayo Clinic staff

If you're confused about whether it's safe to eat seafood during your pregnancy, you're not alone. Understand the guidelines for pregnancy and fish.

By Mayo Clinic staff

Roger Harms, M.D.

If you're pregnant, you might feel like you need to become a nutrition expert overnight. After all, what you eat and drink — and what you avoid — influences your baby's development. Some choices are logical, such as eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and eliminating alcohol from your diet. But what about seafood? When it comes to pregnancy and fish, researchers give mixed reports.

Here, Roger Harms, M.D., a pregnancy specialist at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn., and medical editor of "Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy," offers practical advice about pregnancy and fish.

What's the link between pregnancy and fish?

Seafood can be a great source of protein and iron — crucial nutrients for your baby's growth and development. In addition, the omega-3 fatty acids in many fish can promote your baby's brain development.

But some types of seafood — particularly large, predatory fish such as shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish — may contain high levels of mercury. Although the mercury in seafood isn't a concern for most adults, special precautions apply if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant. If you regularly eat fish high in mercury, the substance can accumulate in your bloodstream over time. In turn, too much mercury in your bloodstream could damage your baby's developing brain and nervous system.

How much seafood is recommended?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) say pregnant women can safely eat up to 12 ounces (340 grams) of seafood a week. Similarly, the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend 8 to 12 ounces of seafood a week for pregnant women — or about two average meals.

Not all researchers agree with these limits, however, citing a study that noted no negative effects for women who ate more seafood than the FDA-approved guidelines.

What's safe to eat?.....

Are fish oil supplements safer than fresh or frozen fish?

While some research has shown that women who take fish oil supplements during pregnancy might improve their children's hand-eye coordination, the findings are preliminary — and other research doesn't support a link between fish oil supplements and improved cognitive or language development in children. The safety of fish oil supplements during pregnancy also has yet to be established. More studies are needed before fish oil supplements can be routinely recommended during pregnancy.

Are there other ways to get omega-3 fatty acids?

Most research on pregnancy and omega-3 fatty acids focuses on seafood or supplements. Other sources of omega-3 fatty acids — such as flaxseed oil, canola oil, soybean oil, ground flaxseed and walnuts — can be part of a healthy diet as well. However, researchers haven't yet determined whether omega-3 fatty acids from plant sources can promote fetal brain development.

What's the bottom line?

Though mercury can harm a developing baby's brain, eating average amounts of seafood containing low levels of mercury during pregnancy hasn't been shown to cause problems. And the omega-3 fatty acids in many types of fish — especially salmon and tuna — can promote healthy cognitive development. As long as you avoid fish known to be high in mercury or contaminated with pollutants, fish can be a regular part of your healthy-eating plan during pregnancy.

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Original Article:  http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pregnancy-and-fish/PR00158

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