• image.alt
  • With Mayo Clinic nutritionists

    Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.

    read biography
View the Health Heart Book

Free

E-Newsletters

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer
Connect with others who've been there. Share stories. Learn. Join Mayo Clinic's
online community.

  • Nutrition-wise blog

  • April 11, 2008

    Does eating fish make children smarter?

    By Jennifer Nelson, M.S., R.D. and Katherine Zeratsky, R.D.

15 comments posted

The nutritional research linking fish, especially those rich with omega 3 fatty acids, to many potential health benefits continues to grow. The omega 3 fatty acid, DHA, is found in high concentrations in the brain, eyes, and central nervous system. One arena of this research relates to IQ, specifically that of infants and children.

In the past several years, much of the advertising of DHA as it relates to infant nutrition has been done by the infant formula companies. I recognize formula companies for their continued efforts to improve the composition of their formulas — to try to mimic the long list of benefits provided by breast milk.

Although some cognitive (IQ) research results may be promising, in total, no conclusive results indicate that indeed, an algae source of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids in infant formula equates to smarter children in the long term. This is especially true when the many possible compounding factors such as mother and infant health, socioeconomic factors, and the many other factors that may impact childhood development are taken into account. This in itself could make for a great discussion — please share your views.

Interestingly, within the past month, 2 studies have been released linking a pregnant woman's diet rich in fish to smarter children in the early months of life up to age 3. The studies looked specifically at a woman's diet during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy — a time of important brain development. Those women who consumed fish during this time had children that performed better on visual and cognitive tests. One study even suggests that fish intake of the mother during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy may provide better cognitive outcomes than that obtained through breast milk or formula after birth.

The researchers acknowledge the potential benefits of their findings but do not neglect to mention the risks of mercury contamination. Current recommendations are that pregnant women limit mercury intake and avoid fish high in mercury, such as swordfish, shark, tilefish, and king mackerel. Mercury is a known neurotoxin.

When the recommendations of limiting fish intake were released in 2001, there was a decrease in fish consumption by many pregnant women. Both studies suggest that greater intake of fish, possibly more than the recommended 12 ounces per week (current recommended limit), may be of benefit. However, choosing fish with low mercury content seems to be the best advice.

What do you think — can food make us, more specifically children, smarter?

Would you/do you exceed the current recommendations of more than 12 ounces in a week? What is your threshold of possible risk vs. possible benefit?

To your health,

Katherine

15 comments posted

blog index

  • October 2, 2010 11:41 p.m.

    I'd like to comment on a couple of details in previous posts... Actually, the human body can manufacture DHA, but some nutritionists believe that we cannot create enough of it to reach optimal levels. Also, hemp does not contain DHA. It contains another Omega 3 fatty acid, ALA, which the human body makes on it's own in quantities that are generally regarded as sufficient. I'm currently pregnant with my second child. I take a DHA supplement that is derived from algae. While it's possible that DHA might not be of benefit, it certainly can't hurt! Anything that may help my baby (without any real drawbacks) is something I'll definitely try. My two year old also takes a small algae-based DHA supplement, each day. That way, we're getting a potentially beneficial nutrient while avoiding mercury and the ethically-questionable issue of commercial fish farms and trawling.

    - Vicki

  • September 7, 2010 3:48 p.m.

    During my 2nd trimester I began to crave sardines. I wanted them all the time and it became a concern for me. I thought that I was lacking something that I truly needed. I looked into "fish oil" pills and found that the oil came from sardines so I started taking one per day. I continued taking them because my sardine craving had vanished. I now have a 6 month old and she is alert, very healthy and happy. I have continued to take the daily supplement because I am breast feeding. I do not know how/if the fish oil improved her I.Q., but it solved my intense cravings and it does not seemed to have hurt her.

    - Kristin

  • June 29, 2010 10:42 p.m.

    Carl, you should clarify the difference between commercial fishing and recreational. The fish stocks you mention are not significantly impacted by recreational fishing.

    - Jason

  • February 12, 2010 2:04 a.m.

    Fish can be successfully replaced by hemp, which is far more nutricious, as it contains high levels of protein(especially the essential aminoacids for the human body) and a very wide range of minerals(iron, calcium, selenium, magnesia, zinc) and vitamins, together with its omega fatty acids(which in hemp are, by the way, in the right proportion needed by the human body).

    - Iuliana

  • December 20, 2009 6:40 p.m.

    I ate a 10 oz portion of fish (mainly salmon) while pregnant with my son once a week. Starting from 4 months of age on to he was a year he had Enfamil DHA formula. He spoke his first sentence at 15 months and is excelling at private school at age 5. Could be a coincidence...

    - Alison

  • September 30, 2009 9:17 a.m.

    One thing that continues to amaze me about all the omega 3 hype is that nobody ever thinks about the impact all this has on our oceans. Many fish like Tuna, Swordfish etc are on the point of extinction not to mention all the other marine life needlessly killed by the greed of the fishing industry worldwide. We as a species have got to stop eating fish and soon.

    - Carl

  • September 3, 2009 4:19 p.m.

    I used a healthy combination of BOTH during my pregnancy. I ate about 12 oz of chunk light tuna every week and took a DHA supplement (Enfamil) every day. After my daughter was born, I continued the routine while I breastfed her for 6 months. She just turned 2, and most people do mistake her for being 3 or sometimes even 4 years old. She speaks in full sentences and has been since she was about 18 months. She first began to speak at 7 months. She also knows all of her colors, letters, numbers, etc. I don't know if the DHA had anything to do with her advanced development, but I know it certainly didn't hurt. I am now pregnant with our second child and plan on the exact same routine for this one as well. The main thing I wanted to point out, is if you are concerned about going over 12 oz, but want to make sure you are getting enough DHA, adding the supplement on top of eating the fish was a great way to accomplish this without having to worry about comsuming a dangerous amount of mercury.

    - Sarah

  • August 5, 2009 8:28 a.m.

    my mother was a vegetarian (no fish of any sort, red or white meat at all) before she got pregnant with me, during the pregnancy and when she was breastfeeding. i have been a vegetarian my whole life. i score very well on IQ tests, in about the top 3% of the population and am now studying architecture, so my visual abilities are healthy too. now, i question whether a good IQ test score necessarily equates to intelligence, but the issue of IQ/intelligence is complex and merely adding omega 3 to your diet whilst pregnant won't exactly ensure your child a nobel prize later in life. there are many factors at work here and IQ alone is not enough to ensure success in life, far from it. however, the fact that you care enough to ask that question is a very good sign for your child's development because it means that they have a parent who is committed to their wellbeing and is actively seeking to give them the best start in life.

    - anna

  • June 18, 2009 5:41 a.m.

    To Kevin: Free range eggs, beef, and chicken are all good sources of omega-3s as well. Those animals get them from grass...perhaps we should just eat grass?

    - Evan

  • August 14, 2008 8:48 p.m.

    i love fish.

    - shoma

  • April 23, 2008 8:30 a.m.

    Excellent article. As a retired public health nutritionist, I was often asked by pregnant women, if fish is good for them or harmful. We need to continue to promote mother's milk as the best source of nutrition for the infant and promote optimal preconceptual health of women. Everyone seems to want to have the smartest baby/child/student. We need to look closely at the research, as new products are developed and marketed to consumers.

    - Marlene W. Culpepper MS RD

  • April 16, 2008 10:00 a.m.

    If you can't eat Salmon or Tuna three times a week, Omega3 capsules, like Efacor, are good alternatives.

    - David

  • April 11, 2008 2:38 p.m.

    If you are concerned about the mercury levels in some fish, there are many supplements of omega 3's to choose from. I have been taking Omega Mom's from the beginning of my pregnancy, hopefully this will make up where my diet has been lacking in fish.

    - Michelle

  • April 11, 2008 2:31 p.m.

    I am an RD with the National Fisheries Institute, and absorbed by the science surrounding fish and fetal brain and eye development daily. While the media have created an atmosphere of confusion on this issue, advice for pregnant women is actually quite clear. There are just four fish to avoid to minimize exposure to mercury – fish that most Americans already don’t eat: shark, tilefish, king mackerel, and swordfish. Otherwise, a variety of 12 ounces a week – including up to 6 ounces of albacore tuna – is recommended. And as your article mentions, a growing body of science suggests that 12 weekly ounces of fish and shellfish should be a minimum. While supplements are an option for women who cannot for some reason eat enough fish, science shows eating fish as whole food is safe. In fact, as is the case with all foods, opting for isolated nutrients in pill form means missing out on the whole package. Not only is fish the richest food source of DHA and EPA omega-3s, it is low in total fat, high in protein, and rich in nutrients including vitamins B, D, zinc, iodine and selenium. Beyond fetal brain and eye development, this superstar nutrient profile contributes to other important health benefits including weight maintenance and reduced risk of heart disease.

    - Jennifer Wilmes, MS, RD

  • April 11, 2008 11:00 a.m.

    These women failed to acknowledge a couple of key points of both the fish study and the use of algal oil in formula. The fish study was done from 1999 to 2002, which is before DHA & AA were even added to infant formula in the US. It wasn't GRAS by the FDA until 2001. Formula manufacturers didn't really implement it across the board until after the fish study was done. It will be a while before long-term studies will be able to be completed on the long-term benefits of algal oil in infants and toddlers nutrition. The studies did show a benefit of eating fish during pregnancy but also showed the harm in eating high mercury fish. I believe, as many manufacturers do, that the benefit of eating fish comes from the consumption of the DHA in the fish. That's why consumption of DHA from algal oil is a safe alternative from fish and pregnant women would get the same benefits as eating fish. After all, the fish get their DHA from algae so why can't we. Fish don't manufacturer DHA on their own just like we don't, they digest DHA-laden algae. Consuming DHA algal oil supplements eliminates the middleman. My son was fed DHA-enhanced formula (and now DHA-enhanced milk, juice, and yogurt) and people constantly comment on how smart he is (and I'm amazed at how sharp his vision is). DHA is the way to go, not only for infants and toddlers but adults as well. It's great for the brain, eyes, and heart - and if you drink Blueberry Pomegranate Juice, it's delicious too

    - Kevin

Post a comment

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger