Moms who ate more seafood while pregnant can expect to have children who are not only smarter, but also surpass their peers of moms who ate less or none.

In a new study, by Dr. Joseph Hibbeln, a researcher at the U.S. National Institutes of Health, who led a research of more than 8,000 moms, found that seafood is a key source of omega-3 fatty acids, which is important for the development of the fetal brain.

This is amazing information, which is in direct conflict to the 2004 U.S. Government recommendation that basically says that due to the level of mercury found in fish and seafood:

A. women who are pregnant should limit the intake of seafood and fish, which has a toxin that can harm the nervous system of developing fetuses.

B. eat none of the fish that contains high levels of mercury like tilefish, swordfish, king mackerel, shark, and no more than 6 ounces a week of albacore tuna.

The new study, sure to be quite conversational, revealed that avoiding mercury did not offer any protection and may actually be harming the developing babies by depriving them of essential nutrients needed in developmental and neurological development.

Moms who ate at fish in two average meals that had more than the normal recommendation of 12 ounces each, gave birth to children who surprisedly showed more advanced fine motor, communication and social skills as a toddler, were better behaved at the age of seven and had higher IQ scores at the age of eight in verbal skills.

What Does All of This Mean?

While mercury is still a heightened concern for pregnant moms, the new study is far too positive to overlook. Hopefully, it will motivate the government into a plan of action to keep pollutants out of seafood.

WHY?

Fish living in waters contaminated with mercury, due to industrial pollution, have a build-up of the chemical and cause developmental and neurological problems in developing babies.

Perhaps by implementing new laws and guidelines on coal-burning power plants, making sure that our seafood supply is clean, it will produce fish and other seafood that are not overly contaminated with various chemicals, including mercury, that would prove to be detrimental to developing fetuses.

If you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant, what should you do?

While your OB/GYN may not have news on the latest information, he or she will soon.

Each mom wants her baby to get off to the best start possible and if we can boost their brain power while still developing in the womb, wouldn't that be amazing! Talk with your doctor about the newly released benefits and follow through on the specific advice for your individual circumstances.