There are a large number of evidence that indicate that mother's eating habits during pregnancy condition the child's health.Recently, a study in Finland suggests that the consumption of fish rich in Omega-3 acids could reduce the risk of type 1 diabetes in children with genetic predisposition to suffering from this disease.
The omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid intake, also called “good fats, during pregnancy suggests having more benefits of those known so far.The study data suggests that the children of the risk group with higher levels of omega-3 acids in the bloodstream had lower chances of suffering from type 1 diabetes.
These fats from fatty fish accumulate in the body of the fetus during pregnancy and are subsequently ingested by breast milk.Breastfeeding also provided protection against type 1 pre-diabetes, which can be partially attributed to the omega-3 contents of breast milk.The researchers analyzed the cases of 720 children born between 1996 and 2004 with a higher genetic risk of type 1 diabetes, monitoring them until they are 15 years old to seek pre-diabetic symptoms.
The results showed that high levels in Omega 3 blood were associated with a lower risk of early autoimmunity in front of pancreatic beta cells and, therefore, with a lower probability of appearance of type 1 diabetes.
Since currently there is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes, the results of this study are important, since they point to nutrition as a possible preventive measure of type 1 diabetes in children with genetic predisposition.The protective effect of breastfeeding discovered in the study can be partly attributed to the contents of "good fats" of breast milk.
Previous studies had already observed a possible protective effect of fatty acid consumption in older children.This new study analyzed younger children because, often, pre-diabetes begins to develop during the first years of childhood.Precisely, during the first year of life is where there is an important development of the body's immune system, which can have long -term effects.
Where do we find Omega 3?Although, we have different foods of omega 3 fatty acids, there are two types (DHA and EPA) that are only in fish such as tuna, mackerel, hake, salmon, herring, cod, cod, sardines, etc.And it is precisely from these types of Omega 3, with which the study was conducted and showed benefits of their pregnancy consumption to prevent type 1 diabetes in the child.It is important to highlight that the consumption of these fish should not exceed a frequency of twice a week, due to their mercury content, a mineral that, in excess, can produce harmful effects to the fetus.
By Ms. Romina Krauss - M.P.No. 147
Source consulted: National Institute of Health of Finland.