A recent study published in the European Journal of Nutrition investigated the use of fish oil and probiotic supplements among pregnant women in the United Kingdom, Poland, Italy, and Finland. The research aimed to explore pregnant women’s supplement choices, their awareness of public health guidelines, and the benefits they believe these supplements provide.
The study found that nearly half (49%) of women who provided product information used fish oil supplements, and 10% reported using probiotics. Among the countries, Polish participants exhibited the highest fish oil use (77%), while Finnish women had the lowest (20%). Polish women were also the most aware of official fish oil consumption guidelines, while Finnish women showed the most knowledge about probiotics. However, many participants lacked awareness of official recommendations, particularly regarding fish oil, with a significant number of Finnish women incorrectly believing that fish oil increased the risk of bleeding during delivery despite evidence showing no such risk at commonly consumed doses.
Background
Fish oil, particularly omega-3 fatty acids like eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), plays a vital role in fetal development, especially for the brain. Since the body has limited ability to produce DHA, it must be obtained through diet or supplements. Fatty fish like salmon are the primary source of these crucial nutrients. Despite the importance of DHA, many countries, including Italy, Finland, and the UK, do not universally recommend fish oil supplements during pregnancy, citing insufficient evidence. However, general guidelines suggest that pregnant women should consume 200 mg of DHA per day, which can be obtained through diet or supplementation.
Probiotics, which are live microbes offering various health benefits, may help reduce maternal infections and childhood eczema, although the evidence is not strong enough to make universal recommendations. The World Allergy Organization recommends probiotics for families at risk of allergies. However, in Europe, the term “probiotics” is considered a health claim, which limits marketing language.
Study Methodology
This cross-sectional study surveyed 1,780 pregnant women aged 18-45 from the UK, Poland, Italy, and Finland. Participants were recruited online through social media and completed an online survey regarding their use of fish oil and probiotics during pregnancy. The researchers also assessed participants’ awareness of national guidelines, their beliefs about the health benefits of supplements, and whether they had any misconceptions.
Participants were asked to upload photos of their supplement labels, which allowed the researchers to verify the types of products being used and accurately assess the nutrient content, particularly DHA levels in fish oil products.
The study found that, even with supplements, over 40% of women rarely ate fish weekly, indicating a reliance on capsules rather than whole food to meet nutritional needs. Participants were generally well-educated, with two-thirds having university-level education, and a similar proportion being first-time mothers.
Key Findings
Fish Oil Use: Poland had the highest rate of fish oil use (77%) and DHA intake, while Finland had the lowest fish oil use but the highest probiotic use (18%).
Awareness of Recommendations: Only Poland had an official recommendation for fish oil supplementation during pregnancy. Few participants in other countries, including Italy, Finland, and the UK, correctly identified the existing guidelines, with many assuming a recommendation existed even if it did not.
Health Benefits and Misconceptions: Participants in Poland were most confident about the benefits of fish oil for the baby’s brain and eyesight. Finnish participants were more aware of probiotics’ potential benefits for maternal and infant gut health. However, significant misconceptions persisted. For example, 45% of Finnish women mistakenly believed that fish oil consumption could increase the risk of bleeding during delivery.
Demographic Patterns: Fish oil supplement users were more likely to be first-time mothers. Probiotic users were also more likely to be first-time mothers, particularly from Finland. However, the dietary habits and pre-pregnancy BMI of supplement users did not differ significantly from non-users.
Conclusions
Although DHA intake from supplements generally met recommendations, the study’s lack of dietary intake data made it difficult to assess total DHA consumption, including intake from fish or fortified foods. Knowledge of the health effects of fish oil and probiotics varied across countries, with notable uncertainty about the safety of fish oil.
The study’s cross-country design and detailed supplement analysis were strengths, but potential biases due to online recruitment and reliance on self-reported intake should be considered. Future research should explore how information sources influence supplement use and further clarify the health impacts of fish oil and probiotics during pregnancy.
This study highlights the growing reliance on supplements over whole foods during pregnancy, underscoring the need for better dietary counseling and clearer public health guidance to support informed choices for maternal and fetal health.
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