REPORT #1399
THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST: Every mother's dream is to give birth to a healthy baby … who just so happens to off-the-charts intelligent. Studies show that there are actually things you can do while pregnant that will boost your baby's brain activity before birth. It's a common myth that listening to classical music will make your baby smart. That one hasn't been proven, but there are several things that have:
· Omega 3: these fatty acids have been extensively studied over the last few years and have been proven beneficial for foetal and eye development. Long chain fatty acids known as DHA and EPA are of particular importance for foetal development. A good source for these types of Omega 3 is oily fish, or fish oils
· Choline: This essential nutrient plays a big role in the formation of a baby's septum and hippocampus, two major areas where learning and memory take place. Pregnant moms should be getting about 450 milligrams of Choline every day during pregnancy, and 550 milligrams a day during lactation. Choline-rich food include eggs, beef, and dairy products
· Exercise: Research has been done looking at children of moms who exercised during pregnancy and children whose mothers quit working out while they were pregnant. The children who were born to mothers who exercised while they were pregnant scored significantly better on general intelligence and oral language exams at age 5.
· Clean teeth: Having periodontal disease during pregnancy has been proven to increase a mother's risk of delivering a premature or low birth weight baby by seven times. This may be because a gum infection can trigger the body to release prostaglandin which is a labor inducing chemical. Babies who are born prematurely or with low birth weight are more at risk to suffer from developmental delays or learning disabilities.
· Low Stress: Studies have shown that maternal stress may inhibit a fetus's brain growth by restricting blood flow to the uterus. It's also possible that high levels of stress can interfere with the production of a baby's brain neurons and synapses. Experts recommend seeking professional help if you're having trouble with stress during pregnancy.
· Prenatal Vitamins: A mothers nutrition during pregnancy is arguably the most important determinate of a baby's overall health and brain development. Have a vitamin B12 or iron deficiency during pregnancy can be detrimental to a baby's intellectual potential. Without certain vitamins and nutrients a baby's brain may not grow correctly or to the optimal level. To make sure you're giving your baby all the brain potential he or she can get, take a daily supplement that's specially designed for pregnancy.
· Healthy Thyroid: Children who are born to mothers with undetected thyroid disease score 7 points lower on IQ tests than children born to mothers with healthy thyroids. So, ask for a simple blood test to find out if your thyroid could be under active.
For More Information, Contact:
Kathy Peterson
Public Relations
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
3333 Green Bay Road
Chicago, IL 60064
(847) 578-8344
