Sunday, August 5, 2012
Friday, September 2, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Meeting MDGs 4&5; the role of the National Health Insurance Authority.
Consuming Omega 3 fatty acids during pregnancy helps protects babies against illness during early infancy, an Emory University study has published. The randomized, placebo-controlled trial followed approximately 1,100 pregnant women and 900 infants in Mexico. The women were supplemented daily with 400 mg of Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) in the algal form or placebo from 18 to 22 weeks gestation through childbirth. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is an omega-3 fatty acid found in cold-water oceanic fish oils The research revealed that children whose mothers took DHA supplements had fewer colds and shorter illnesses at one(1), three(3) and six(6) months of age. The study underscored the importance of good nutrition during pregnancy in reducing infant morbidity to the barest, minimum.
Having an Omega 3 deficiency while pregnant can prove very harmful to mother and baby. The baby takes Omega 3 from foods the mother eats and if the baby does not get enough Omega-3 from the food the mother eats, he will begin to take from the mother’s stored reserve. Researchers believe that these stores may be located in the brain, and can result in a loss of up to 3% of the mother’s brain cells. Omega 3 deficiency during pregnancy is linked with:
• increased rates of postpartum depression
• increased chances of having a Low Birth Weight(LBW) baby
• increased chances of preterm labor or cesarean birth
Taking Omega 3 during pregnancy has also been proven to help mother and baby out in the long run. Recent studies were performed on infants who were exposed to adequate levels of Omega 3 while in the womb. These babies showed advanced attention spans and greater visual acuity than non-exposed children. Their development was also two months ahead of non-exposed children. Benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids cannot be over emphasized:
• less chance of developmental or behavioral problems in the future
• less incidence of breast and prostate cancer
Especially in the final trimester of pregnancy, at least 250 mg of Omega 3 fatty acids is recommended daily. During this time the baby uses Omega-3 to form approximately 70% of its brain system, while the mother works on the rest of her baby’s nervous system.
Omega 3 is best found in fish and fish oil products. High levels of Omega 3 are found in:
• oily fish, like mackerel, herring, sardines, anchovies, salmon, and pilchards
• Omega 3 fish oil supplements
• fresh or frozen tuna
Omega 3 can also be found in non-aquatic sources. Good choices include:
• eggs
• dark green vegetables
• canola, sunflower, and flaxseed oils
• walnuts
The cost of treating postpartum depression may over burden and threaten the sustainability of the NHIS, Low Birth Weight (LBW) is an important predictor of newborn health and survival and very much associated with higher risk of infant and childhood mortality; preterm birth accounts for 70% of neonatal morbidity, mortality. It is therefore in the interest of the National Health Insurance Authority to initiate a public education campaign on the importance of Omega 3 diet in reproductive health care; this in effect will ensure that Ghana meets the MDGs 4 & 5.
Ref. Sciencedaily.com, pregnancy-info.net, wikipedia
Having an Omega 3 deficiency while pregnant can prove very harmful to mother and baby. The baby takes Omega 3 from foods the mother eats and if the baby does not get enough Omega-3 from the food the mother eats, he will begin to take from the mother’s stored reserve. Researchers believe that these stores may be located in the brain, and can result in a loss of up to 3% of the mother’s brain cells. Omega 3 deficiency during pregnancy is linked with:
• increased rates of postpartum depression
• increased chances of having a Low Birth Weight(LBW) baby
• increased chances of preterm labor or cesarean birth
Taking Omega 3 during pregnancy has also been proven to help mother and baby out in the long run. Recent studies were performed on infants who were exposed to adequate levels of Omega 3 while in the womb. These babies showed advanced attention spans and greater visual acuity than non-exposed children. Their development was also two months ahead of non-exposed children. Benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids cannot be over emphasized:
• less chance of developmental or behavioral problems in the future
• less incidence of breast and prostate cancer
Especially in the final trimester of pregnancy, at least 250 mg of Omega 3 fatty acids is recommended daily. During this time the baby uses Omega-3 to form approximately 70% of its brain system, while the mother works on the rest of her baby’s nervous system.
Omega 3 is best found in fish and fish oil products. High levels of Omega 3 are found in:
• oily fish, like mackerel, herring, sardines, anchovies, salmon, and pilchards
• Omega 3 fish oil supplements
• fresh or frozen tuna
Omega 3 can also be found in non-aquatic sources. Good choices include:
• eggs
• dark green vegetables
• canola, sunflower, and flaxseed oils
• walnuts
The cost of treating postpartum depression may over burden and threaten the sustainability of the NHIS, Low Birth Weight (LBW) is an important predictor of newborn health and survival and very much associated with higher risk of infant and childhood mortality; preterm birth accounts for 70% of neonatal morbidity, mortality. It is therefore in the interest of the National Health Insurance Authority to initiate a public education campaign on the importance of Omega 3 diet in reproductive health care; this in effect will ensure that Ghana meets the MDGs 4 & 5.
Ref. Sciencedaily.com, pregnancy-info.net, wikipedia
Monday, August 8, 2011
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