September 5, 2018 — Taking fish oil supplements during pregnancy might translate into healthier growth in children during their first six years of life, a new study suggests.

“This study highlights the fact that in utero exposure can have a profound effect on the fetus that lasts through childhood,” said Dr. Jennifer Wu, an obstetrician-gynecologist from Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City.

“For the past decade, the importance of fish oil and the omega-3 fatty acids have been stressed to patients,” explained Wu, who was not involved in the study.

“The use of fish oil in the latter part of the pregnancy has an impact on bone and muscle mass. Though these children are larger, they do not have increased rates of obesity,” Wu added.

In the study, the researchers followed 736 pregnant women in Denmark who took either fish oil or olive oil supplements daily from week 24 of their pregnancy until one week after they gave birth.

Read the full story at United Press International