Omega-3 LC-PUFA consumption is now recommended for women of childbearing age and during pregnancy to protect against preterm and early preterm birth: implementing this recommendation in a sustainable manner
Preterm birth (delivery prior to 37 weeks) appears to be rising globally, increasing the risk of a myriad of down-stream disorders which affect families, their offspring and society, including increased morbidity, mortality and economic costs. Strategies for prevention of preterm birth have therefor...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-11-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Nutrition |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1502866/full |
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| author | Ella J. Baker Ella J. Baker Philip C. Calder Philip C. Calder Alex J. Kermack Alex J. Kermack Jonathan E. Brown Moriam Mustapha Ellen Kitson-Reynolds Josephine J. Garvey |
| author_facet | Ella J. Baker Ella J. Baker Philip C. Calder Philip C. Calder Alex J. Kermack Alex J. Kermack Jonathan E. Brown Moriam Mustapha Ellen Kitson-Reynolds Josephine J. Garvey |
| author_sort | Ella J. Baker |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Preterm birth (delivery prior to 37 weeks) appears to be rising globally, increasing the risk of a myriad of down-stream disorders which affect families, their offspring and society, including increased morbidity, mortality and economic costs. Strategies for prevention of preterm birth have therefore become a priority among healthcare providers. One proposed strategy is increased consumption of Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (from food or supplements) in women of childbearing age and during pregnancy. It is hypothesized that Omega-3 LC-PUFAs, through several different actions, reduce the risk of early onset labor or lengthen gestation. An expert group, acting on behalf of several relevant organizations, recently published guidance based on compelling trial evidence for increased Omega-3 LC-PUFA intake to protect women of childbearing age and during pregnancy from preterm birth (PTB) and early preterm birth (ePTB). Here, we consider how this guidance can be achieved in a sustainable manner. We present data on suitable, efficacious alternatives to fish as a source of Omega-3 LC-PUFAs, so that while aiming to protect families and society against PTB and ePTB there is no increased burden on other species on our vulnerable planet. Finally, how the guidance can be implemented in practice is discussed, with consideration for those most at risk and effective ways of communicating this important message. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-72a57df033c14d0b9fb9461d5664ee1e |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2296-861X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-11-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Nutrition |
| spelling | doaj-art-72a57df033c14d0b9fb9461d5664ee1e2025-08-20T02:48:54ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Nutrition2296-861X2024-11-011110.3389/fnut.2024.15028661502866Omega-3 LC-PUFA consumption is now recommended for women of childbearing age and during pregnancy to protect against preterm and early preterm birth: implementing this recommendation in a sustainable mannerElla J. Baker0Ella J. Baker1Philip C. Calder2Philip C. Calder3Alex J. Kermack4Alex J. Kermack5Jonathan E. Brown6Moriam Mustapha7Ellen Kitson-Reynolds8Josephine J. Garvey9School of Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United KingdomNIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and University of Southampton, Southampton, United KingdomSchool of Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United KingdomNIHR Southampton Biomedical Research Centre, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and University of Southampton, Southampton, United KingdomDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Princess Anne Hospital, University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, Southampton, United KingdomSchool of Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United KingdomDepartment of Nutrition, Food and Exercise, School of Biosciences, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United KingdomLondon Neonatal Operational Delivery Network, London, United KingdomSchool of Health Sciences, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, United KingdomConsultant, Amsterdam, NetherlandsPreterm birth (delivery prior to 37 weeks) appears to be rising globally, increasing the risk of a myriad of down-stream disorders which affect families, their offspring and society, including increased morbidity, mortality and economic costs. Strategies for prevention of preterm birth have therefore become a priority among healthcare providers. One proposed strategy is increased consumption of Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs), particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) (from food or supplements) in women of childbearing age and during pregnancy. It is hypothesized that Omega-3 LC-PUFAs, through several different actions, reduce the risk of early onset labor or lengthen gestation. An expert group, acting on behalf of several relevant organizations, recently published guidance based on compelling trial evidence for increased Omega-3 LC-PUFA intake to protect women of childbearing age and during pregnancy from preterm birth (PTB) and early preterm birth (ePTB). Here, we consider how this guidance can be achieved in a sustainable manner. We present data on suitable, efficacious alternatives to fish as a source of Omega-3 LC-PUFAs, so that while aiming to protect families and society against PTB and ePTB there is no increased burden on other species on our vulnerable planet. Finally, how the guidance can be implemented in practice is discussed, with consideration for those most at risk and effective ways of communicating this important message.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1502866/fullomega 3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acidspregnancypreterm (birth)sustainable omega 3smaternal health |
| spellingShingle | Ella J. Baker Ella J. Baker Philip C. Calder Philip C. Calder Alex J. Kermack Alex J. Kermack Jonathan E. Brown Moriam Mustapha Ellen Kitson-Reynolds Josephine J. Garvey Omega-3 LC-PUFA consumption is now recommended for women of childbearing age and during pregnancy to protect against preterm and early preterm birth: implementing this recommendation in a sustainable manner Frontiers in Nutrition omega 3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids pregnancy preterm (birth) sustainable omega 3s maternal health |
| title | Omega-3 LC-PUFA consumption is now recommended for women of childbearing age and during pregnancy to protect against preterm and early preterm birth: implementing this recommendation in a sustainable manner |
| title_full | Omega-3 LC-PUFA consumption is now recommended for women of childbearing age and during pregnancy to protect against preterm and early preterm birth: implementing this recommendation in a sustainable manner |
| title_fullStr | Omega-3 LC-PUFA consumption is now recommended for women of childbearing age and during pregnancy to protect against preterm and early preterm birth: implementing this recommendation in a sustainable manner |
| title_full_unstemmed | Omega-3 LC-PUFA consumption is now recommended for women of childbearing age and during pregnancy to protect against preterm and early preterm birth: implementing this recommendation in a sustainable manner |
| title_short | Omega-3 LC-PUFA consumption is now recommended for women of childbearing age and during pregnancy to protect against preterm and early preterm birth: implementing this recommendation in a sustainable manner |
| title_sort | omega 3 lc pufa consumption is now recommended for women of childbearing age and during pregnancy to protect against preterm and early preterm birth implementing this recommendation in a sustainable manner |
| topic | omega 3 (n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids pregnancy preterm (birth) sustainable omega 3s maternal health |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2024.1502866/full |
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