| MIAMI, FLORIDA – (October 30, 2007) -- For years, pregnant and nursing women have been warned about the potential health risks of eating fish. As a result, more than 56 percent of pregnant and nursing women have stopped eating or eat much less fish than is actually required for fear they will harm their unborn or developing child. Now medical researchers from the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition, are saying the benefits of eating fish far outweigh the risks.
Pregnant and nursing women, and those women trying to conceive, are now encouraged to eat a minimum of 12 ounces of fish per week, debunking another belief that women should eat no more than 12 ounces of fish each week.
Salmon of the Americas (SOTA), a non-profit trade organization whose mission is to educate all consumers about the health benefits of adding ocean-farmed salmon to their diets, in conjunction with the National Fisheries Institute (NFI), is encouraging all women who are pregnant, nursing, or trying to conceive to consider the benefits of adding farmed salmon to their diet.
Studies have shown that eating fish is essential as it is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids and other important nutrients. According to the New York University Medical Center, those pregnant and nursing women who eat a minimum of 12 ounces of fish a week are actually aiding in their child's brain development and helping to improve motor and cognitive skills in their unborn or developing child. In fact, there is evidence that eating fish, like farmed salmon, while pregnant and nursing may decrease the risk of premature birth and post-partum depression. Farmed salmon is most desirable because, according to the Institute of Medicine, it is the lowest in mercury.
"There are numerous health benefits to eating fish during pregnancy and nursing," says Rafael Puga of Salmon of the Americas. "Farmed salmon, in particular, is widely considered the most beneficial fish for pregnant and nursing women because it has much less mercury contamination than other types of fish, and it's rich in the much-needed Omega-3 fatty acids."
Furthermore, there are those medical experts that assert that there is a greater risk of health problems if women don't eat fish because they won't get the needed Omega-3 fatty acids and other nutrients that are essential before, during, and after pregnancy. Those women who aren't able to eat fish are advised to take fish oil supplements.
“Adding fish to your diet each week is a great way to add nutrition, and buying farmed fish like our salmon has an added bonus,” says Puga. “Our fish have higher levels of Omega-3 fatty acids than wild salmon, making it an even healthier choice for both mother and baby.”
For more information about Salmon of the Americas please visit the website at www.salmonoftheamericas.com.
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