“Mind the gap”: IADSA underlines importance of omega 3 and folic acid in first 1,000 days of life

13 Nov 2019 --- Many pregnant women and babies do not have adequate intakes of omega 3 and folic acid, highlighting how further education is necessary to fill the gap between recommended and actual nutrient intake. This is according to the International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations (IADSA), which has added information about these nutrients to its Mind the Gap resource. The Alliance seeks to fill knowledge gaps by showcasing the results of relevant research and real-life examples of successful national nutrition programs while examining how supplements can enhance and optimize general wellbeing.

“The goal of Mind the Gap is to explain the role and value of supplementation in a way that will connect with decision-makers in government and other bodies. Everyone should be targeting a varied and balanced diet. However, despite all the policy and consumer education measures put in place globally, we know that achieving this still remains difficult for many. Food supplements can provide a potential solution to this challenge,” Simon Pettman, Executive Director of IADSA, tells NutritionInsight.

Omega 3: The Making of You addresses a baby’s first 1,000 days of life, from conception to the age of two, which experts believe are the most important for future development. It explores how omega 3 is vital at this stage for the development of the brain and eyes during pregnancy.

This includes the link between docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) omega 3 and a reduction in the risk of preterm birth, which results in the death of one million babies every year. Scientific evidence is outlined showing that DHA supplementation during pregnancy can help to increase the length of gestation in women, especially those with low levels of omega 3 in their diet.  

Experts believe the first 1,000 days of life are the most important for future development.“Mind the Gap is changing the way we communicate positive stories about supplements. It provides a powerful visual tool, in both digital and physical formats, to explain the importance of supplementation in key areas of health and wellbeing. Our new omega 3 and folic acid stories complement the existing vitamin D resources, and we are already planning further topics for the Mind the Gap series,” says Cynthia Rousselot, Director of Technical and Regulatory Affairs at IADSA.

Earlier this month, experts flagged the potential risks of EU’s new infant formula regulations. These stipulate the obligatory addition of DHA at concentrations two to three times higher than typically found in human milk, but with no obligation to add omega 6 fatty acid arachidonic acid.

Meanwhile, the market for algal oil in human nutrition currently exceeds 4,000 metric tons a year, with the early life nutrition segment accounting for the largest proportion, according to Rafael Hinojosa, Commercial Manager, Nutritional Lipids, DSM EMEA, who spoke with NutritionInsight earlier this week.

“Further research is always desirable, but there is already a large body of data on both omega 3 and folic acid that is recognized by international organizations and many leading experts in this field. The heart of Mind the Gap is to share the knowledge with those who are not specialists. New research is needed on the role that nutrition and supplementation can play in helping keep people productive as they get older, for example. IADSA has commissioned some first research in this area, but there is much more to be done,” adds Pettman. 

Bolstering folic acid intake
Meanwhile, Folic Acid: The Best of Both Worlds explores the benefits of a combined folic acid strategy that encompasses both fortification and supplements. The consumption of sufficient folate before conception and during early pregnancy significantly lowers the risk of giving birth to a baby with an abnormality to the brain or spine – known as a neural tube defect (NTD).The consumption of sufficient folate lowers the risk of abnormality to the brain or spine.

However, as a large proportion of pregnancies are unplanned, many mothers are unaware of their need to consume ample amounts of folic acid. Therefore, some countries have enacted programs to fortify foods with folic acid (the form of folate added to fortified foods and supplements). As a result, rates of NTDs have fallen. IASDA highlights that more still needs to be done as there are 18.6 NTD births per 10,000 global live births.

Notably, rates of NTDs in the US are among the lowest in the world at just five per 10,000 live births. According to IADSA, this is because the country uses a combined approach of both fortifying foods with folic acid and recommending that women of child-bearing age consume a folic acid supplement daily.

Earlier this year, a 12-week consultation on proposals explored what kinds of products should be included in the UK government’s proposals to add folic acid to flour. Ministers estimate that such a policy would prevent up to 200 birth defects a year. 

This is especially important as a study showed that folate levels decrease during the months when solar radiation is higher and ultraviolet radiation proportionately affects folate levels in the blood. This illustrates a seasonal risk threshold for people with folate deficiency in the blood. 

Additionally, other research found that daily supplementation of folic acid may reduce the risk of gestational or pregnancy-related diabetes. 

By Katherine Durrell