Expectant mothers across Australia are being urged to avoid taking omega-3 supplements without first undergoing a simple medical test. Health experts have issued a stark warning that self-prescribing these popular supplements could inadvertently increase the risk of premature birth.
The Critical Link Between Omega-3 and Preterm Birth
The caution comes from researchers at the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, who have revealed a crucial finding. Unless a woman has been clinically diagnosed with an omega-3 deficiency, supplementation might actually elevate the likelihood of her baby arriving too early. Preterm birth is identified by researchers as the single most significant cause of death and disability in children under five years of age globally.
Amy Christie, who is 36 weeks pregnant with her first child, shared her personal experience. After accepting all the tests offered by her GP, she discovered she was among the 17 per cent of expectant mothers found to have an omega-3 deficiency. "I’m really looking forward to meeting my baby. It’s actually kicking right now for us," Christie said, highlighting the importance of the discovery for her pregnancy journey.
South Australia's Groundbreaking Test-and-Treat Program
A pioneering program launched four years ago in South Australia is leading the charge on this issue. To date, the initiative has assessed 32,000 women for their omega-3 levels. Karen Best of the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute explained the program's impact. "We found that by giving these women omega-3 supplements, we could actually reduce that risk quite substantially," she stated.
Before this program, there was no straightforward way for women to know if they were deficient. For Amy Christie, the testing could prove crucial. "For me, it could have stopped my baby from being preterm," she reflected.
A National and International Rollout
The success of the South Australian program has sparked a nationwide expansion, with an ultimate goal of offering free omega-3 testing to pregnant women worldwide. Karen Best confirmed the growing international interest, noting, "We are getting a lot of interest, actually, from our international colleagues who are contacting us to see, you know, what we’ve done, how we’ve done it."
However, experts continue to stress the program's core message: supplementation is only beneficial for those who test low. Taking too much omega-3 can be equally harmful and increase the risk of preterm birth, turning a potential solution into a serious problem. The clear recommendation for all pregnant women is to seek testing first before considering any supplements.
