Salmon gives your baby brains!

National Pregnancy Week, 5th – 11th September 2005

Mums-to-be are being encouraged to increase the amount of salmon in their diet to boost the brain development of unborn babies.

Salmon contains long-chain omega 3 fatty acids, which are from the family of "good" fats known as polyunsaturated fatty acids. These are known to be beneficial for heart and general health, but they are increasingly being linked with brain development in unborn babies, as well as infants and young children.

Unborn babies
In the last three months of pregnancy, the need for long-chain omega 3 fatty acids is increased significantly, as this is the stage for brain development in the unborn baby. At this crucial stage, the long-chain omega 3 fatty acids are transferred from the mother’s placenta to the foetus and thus she must have sufficient dietary intake to do this.

Infants
Other scientific studies have confirmed the importance of long-chain omega 3 fatty acids in brain development once the baby is born. Breast milk can be a good source of the long-chain omega 3 fatty acids for infants, and women who eat more salmon can increase the amount of long-chain omega 3s in the breast milk, thus improving the amount available to the baby.

Young children
The benefits of long-chain omega 3 fatty acids have also been evidenced in children aged six to twelve. Some of the results of a recent experiment in Durham involving a group of children who all showed evidence of learning difficulties have been described as “dramatic” by Professor Robert Winston (of BBC’s The Human Mind). Reports suggest that one child’s reading age improved by four years, whilst others have seen a two-year leap in learning abilities.

The Food Standards Agency recommends that pregnant women have up to two portions of oil-rich fish, such as salmon, a week, but, on average, people in the UK eat only a third of a portion of oil-rich fish a week.

It seems that the old wives tales are right, fish, especially oil-rich fish such as salmon, really does give you and your baby brains! It's easy to add to your diet too, both before and after pregnancy. So why not try this quick, easy to prepare and tasty Scottish salmon wrap.

Scottish salmon wrap
Ingredients make 2 wraps

· 75g fresh poached, smoked, or
· Hot smoked Scottish salmon
· 2 flour tortillas
· 1 dessert spoon extra low-fat
· Mayonnaise
· 1 dessertspoon Greek style yoghurt
· A little sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
· Squeeze of lemon juice
· 1 dessertspoon chopped herbs
· A handful of crisp lettuce leaves e.g. iceberg, little gem, cos, shredded
· 1 large tomato, sliced
· Cooked French beans and sliced red pepper for garnish

Method:

1. Mix together the mayonnaise and yoghurt, add a little salt, pepper, lemon juice and chopped herbs.
2. Divide the mixture between the two wraps and spread evenly over the surface. Cover with lettuce and sliced tomato. Flake or slice the salmon and place on top.
3. Roll up and cut in half. Serve with some dressed cooked French beans and red pepper.

- ends -

Notes to editors:

1. The Food Standards Agency recommends that “girls and women who might have a child one day, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding, can have up to two portions of oily fish a week. Other women, men and boys can have up to four portions of oily fish a week.”

2. Scottish Quality Salmon is dedicated to improving the quality and sustainability of salmon farming in Scotland – from feed companies through to salmon smokers and processors – the whole production chain. Scottish farmed salmon is one of the latest foods to benefit from an approved heart health claim for long-chain omega 3 fatty acids.

3. To view some of the health benefits of long-chain omega 3 fatty acids during pregnancy and infancy, through to other life stages, visit www.richinomega3.com.

For more information contact Ken Hughes 01738 587000 or email khughes@scottishsalmon.co.uk

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