PM Procare
 

PM Procare, Why do we need Tuna oil and High level of DHA supplementation?

A Review of the Benefits of Omega 3 Fatty Acids for Conception, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

PM Procare has been specifically designed as a nutritional supplement for all periods from before conception, and throughout pregnancy to breastfeeding periods. It provides nutrients such as the long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids DHA and EPA, (omega 3 fatty acids), that are required for both mums and baby’s health. Supplementation of high level of DHA is needed for the fetus’ and infant’s optimal visual and cognitive development, and for reducing the risk of premature birth. Omega 3 fatty acids are even more necessary for multiple and closely spaced  pregnancies due to increased demand in these cases [1] [2]. The formula also contains essential nutrition for which additional supplementation is needed during this special period.

While Fish oil and omega 3 fatty acids have been well-known for their benefits for cardiovascular health, immune health, arthritis, brain, eye and mental health in general, for pregnancy and breastfeeding, DHA is the most important among the long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Its physiological importance is supported by its active and preferential maternal fetal placental transfer, which is mediated by specific fatty acid transfer proteins (FATP-1 and FATP-4) and membrane binding proteins that favor placental transport of DHA over other fatty acids such as LA [3] [4].

Below is a summary of omega 3’s most important benefits that are supported by quality scientific research:

Benefits
 		 When supplementation is required  
Before During After
Required for fertility health and conception:
  • There is considerable evidence that dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) supplementation can influence biosynthetic pathways involved in both prostaglandin synthesis and steroidogenesis that have multiple roles in the regulation of reproductive function. The PUFA composition of the cell membranes of the sperm and oocyte is important during fertilization [5]. There are 4 areas of reproduction where PUFAs are thought to make a difference: establishment of pregnancy, uterine activity, preterm labor, and male fertility [6].
  • Recent studies shows that plasma eicosapentaenoic acid and erythrocyte docosahexaenoic acid levels were reduced, and levels of MDA, a peroxidative product of essential fatty acids, were increased in infertile women, suggesting that increased oxidative stress and consequent altered essential polyunsaturated fatty acids are associated with infertility.[7]
 √    
 Fetal and infant transmission:
  • Maternal dietary intake of Omega 3 fatty acids influence the amounts available for transferring to the fetus.
  • Lactating women supplemented with DHA have an increase in milk DHA level, there is a dose dependent relationship exists between maternal DHA consumption and DHA levels in human milk. [8]
  • Milk long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) status reflects the concentrations of maternal LCPUFA in women delivering babies at term.[9]
  • To ensure adequate level of DHA for offspring, women of child bearing age are recommended to consume at least 200mg of DHA/day [10].
 √ √ √
 Delivery outcome:
  • Omega 3 consumption during pregnancy reduces the risk for early premature birth including reducing the recurrence risk of pre-term delivery [11]; results in longer gestation, higher birth weight and length, and larger head circumference delivery. [12] [13] [14] [15] [16] [17] [18].
   √  
 Fetus’ and child’s brain and eye health:
  • Sufficient amounts are required for fetus’ and infant’s optimal visual and cognitive development. In particular, brain accumulation of DHA starts in utero, with quantitatively marked deposition in the second half of gestation, and exceptional rapid growth occurs from the second half of pregnancy to after birth and into the first few years of life [10].
   √ √
 Child’s motor development:
  • Infant’s and children’s motor development, such as eye-hand coordination correlates positively with both prenatal and post-natal omega 3 intake [19] [20] [21] [22] [23].
   √ √
 Mum’s and Offspring’s Mental, Immune health and Premature
Pregnant women are very prone to stress and depression. Studies have shown:
  • There is a vicious link between depressed pregnant women and premature birth [24].
  • Premature babies are more prone to depression later in their childhood[25].
  • Mothers of premature babies are more likely to suffer from depression after birth [26].
  • Psychosocial stress during pre- and early postnatal life may increase the vulnerability of infants to the effects of immunotoxicants or immune-mediated diseases, with long-term consequences [27], and maternal mood in pregnancy may have the potential to influence fetal immune development [28].
   √ √
  •  Epidemiological studies in various countries in the last century suggest that decreased n-3 fatty acid consumption correlates with increasing rates of depression [29]. Higher concentrations of DHA in mums and greater consumption of omega 3 fatty acids help with mental health in general and postpartum depression [30]; availability of DHA in the postpartum period is less in women developing depressive symptoms [31]
  • Early omega 3 provision may modulate immune response and is beneficial to immune health in offspring both when they are infants/babies and later in their lives. [32] [33] [34] [28] [35] [36] [37] [38].
   √ √
 Offspring’s cardiovascular health
  • Infant’s omega 3 intake is associated with lower blood pressure in children at 6 yrs of age [39]and this may have a lasting impact on reduced blood pressure and cardiovascular risk. [10]
     √
 Pregnancy Complication
  • Preliminary clinical evidence suggest fish oil supplements might prolong pregnancy and depress levels of thromboxane A2 which is thought to cause vasoconstriction, platelet aggregation, and reduced uteroplacental blood flow associated with pre-eclampsia [40].
  • Omega 3 may be useful for prevention of recurrent miscarriage associated with antiphospholipid antibodies (APL)[41]
      

PM Procare contains Tuna oil (Natural) that naturally has the highest DHA:EPA ratio (4.33:1 or 26 DHA: 6 EPA) of any commercially fished species. A study on breastfeeding women’s milk composition in 9 countries[42] shows that tuna oil’s ratio of DHA: EPA resembles the ratio in human breast milk more closely than any of the other natural fatty acids available. According to Dr. Krebs [43],  his research on brain integration using direct muscle feedback has shown that the most effective ratio for optimising brain function, especially the executive functions of the frontal lobes is 3:1 DHA to EPA, and only high quality natural tuna oil has the correct ratio of DHA to EPA, and thus supports optimum mental performance.

The above benefits of Tuna Oil in PM Procare are also reinforced by other ingredients in the product, for eg:

 

Fertility Health Supported by antioxidants such as vitamins B group, C, E, and Zinc. Antioxidants have protective properties, reducing the risk of chemical damage to sperm and eggs
Brain & Eye Health Folic Acid required for cell division and nervous system, but also especially for preventing neural tube defect; Iodine for brain, eyesight and hearing. Iodine deficiency occurring during fetal and neonatal growth and development leads to irreversible damage of the brain and central nervous system;
Immune Health Zinc, Beta-carotene, Vitamin B6, and D are proven to be beneficial to immune health
Mental Health Magnesium, potassium, zinc, folic, and vitamin D deficiency are underlying causes of depression, while manganese, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C may help alleviate this condition.

In summary, while Tuna oil is a major contributor to PM Procare’s benefit profile, it doesn’t work alone but as an inseparable part of a unique formula for this very special period in a women’s life.

All ingredients used in PM Procare have been sourced from quality manufacturers. For eg, Tuna oil is made by the American facility of Nu-mega, a subsidiary of an Australian publicly listed company named Clover Corp. Nu-mega does not use just any tuna. Rather, they harvest exclusively from selected species such as Albacore, Skipjack and Big Eye, fished from the pristine South Pacific waters, a clean source. Further quality processing helps to ensure that contaminants are held to strict specification. PM Procare’s vitamins and minerals are from quality manufacturers, including European based-Roche and Cognis. These manufacturers are GMP-accredited, ensuring quality pharmaceutical grade raw ingredients.
PM Procare is regulated as therapeutic (medicinal) goods in Australia and has to comply with all of stringent regulations by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), one of the strictest health authorities in the world. They have to meet with all the Good Manufacturing Process (GMP) requirements from the start to the finish of their production, before released to the market. Further, post-market surveillance requirements ensure that the products are monitored and controlled after they leave our warehouse by both regulator and us, the product owner.
For further information, please view www.procare-central.com or call Free call No. 1800 339 890

References:

  1. McFadyen, M., J. Farquharson, and F. Cockburn, Maternal and umbilical cord erythrocyte omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and haemorheology in singleton and twin pregnancies. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed, 2003. 88(2): p. F134-8.
  2. Zeijdner, E.E., et al., Essential fatty acid status in plasma phospholipids of mother and neonate after multiple pregnancy. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids, 1997. 56(5): p. 395-401.
  3. Koletzko, B., E. Larque, and H. Demmelmair, Placental transfer of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA). J Perinat Med, 2007. 35 Suppl 1: p. S5-11.
  4. Larque, E., et al., Expression pattern of fatty acid transport protein-1 (FATP-1), FATP-4 and heart-fatty acid binding protein (H-FABP) genes in human term placenta. Early Hum Dev, 2006. 82(10): p. 697-701.
  5. Aitken, R.J. and H.W. Baker, Seminal leukocytes: passengers, terrorists or good samaritans? Hum Reprod, 1995. 10(7): p. 1736-9.
  6. Wathes, D.C., D.R. Abayasekara, and R.J. Aitken, Polyunsaturated fatty acids in male and female reproduction. Biol Reprod, 2007. 77(2): p. 190-201.
  7. Mehendale, S.S., et al., Oxidative stress-mediated essential polyunsaturated fatty acid alterations in female infertility. Hum Fertil (Camb), 2009. 12(1): p. 28-33.
  8. Atalah, S.E., et al., [Consumption of a DHA-enriched milk drink by pregnant and lactating women, on the fatty acid composition of red blood cells, breast milk, and in the newborn]. Arch Latinoam Nutr, 2009. 59(3): p. 271-7.
  9. Kilari, A.S., et al., Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in mothers and term babies. J Perinat Med, 2009. 37(5): p. 513-8.
  10. Koletzko, B., et al., The roles of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in pregnancy, lactation and infancy: review of current knowledge and consensus recommendations. J Perinat Med, 2008. 36(1): p. 5-14.
  11. Olsen, S.F., et al., Randomised clinical trials of fish oil supplementation in high risk pregnancies. Fish Oil Trials In Pregnancy (FOTIP) Team. BJOG, 2000. 107(3): p. 382-95.
  12. Olsen, S.F., et al., [Fish oil supplementation and duration of pregnancy. A randomized controlled trial]. Ugeskr Laeger, 1994. 156(9): p. 1302-7.
  13. Horvath, A., B. Koletzko, and H. Szajewska, Effect of supplementation of women in high-risk pregnancies with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on pregnancy outcomes and growth measures at birth: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Br J Nutr, 2007. 98(2): p. 253-9.
  14. Koletzko, B., I. Cetin, and J.T. Brenna, Dietary fat intakes for pregnant and lactating women. Br J Nutr, 2007. 98(5): p. 873-7.
  15. Makrides, M., L. Duley, and S.F. Olsen, Marine oil, and other prostaglandin precursor, supplementation for pregnancy uncomplicated by pre-eclampsia or intrauterine growth restriction. Cochrane Database Syst Rev, 2006. 3: p. CD003402.
  16. Szajewska, H., A. Horvath, and B. Koletzko, Effect of n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation of women with low-risk pregnancies on pregnancy outcomes and growth measures at birth: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Clin Nutr, 2006. 83(6): p. 1337-44.
  17. Helland, I.B., et al., Similar effects on infants of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids supplementation to pregnant and lactating women. Pediatrics, 2001. 108(5): p. E82.
  18. Thorsdottir, I., et al., Association of fish and fish liver oil intake in pregnancy with infant size at birth among women of normal weight before pregnancy in a fishing community. Am J Epidemiol, 2004. 160(5): p. 460-5.
  19. Bouwstra, H., et al., Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids have a positive effect on the quality of general movements of healthy term infants. Am J Clin Nutr, 2003. 78(2): p. 313-8.
  20. Bouwstra, H., et al., Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and neurological developmental outcome at 18 months in healthy term infants. Acta Paediatr, 2005. 94(1): p. 26-32.
  21. Bouwstra, H., et al., Relationship between umbilical cord essential fatty acid content and the quality of general movements of healthy term infants at 3 months. Pediatr Res, 2006. 59(5): p. 717-22.
  22. Bouwstra, H., et al., Neurologic condition of healthy term infants at 18 months: positive association with venous umbilical DHA status and negative association with umbilical trans-fatty acids. Pediatr Res, 2006. 60(3): p. 334-9.
  23. Dunstan, J.A., et al., Cognitive assessment of children at age 2(1/2) years after maternal fish oil supplementation in pregnancy: a randomised controlled trial. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed, 2008. 93(1): p. F45-50.
  24. Li, D., L. Liu, and R. Odouli, Presence of depressive symptoms during early pregnancy and the risk of preterm delivery: a prospective cohort study. Hum Reprod, 2009. 24(1): p. 146-53.
  25. Early Emergence of Behavior and Social-Emotional Problems in Very Preterm Infants. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 2009. September 2009 - Volume 48 - (Issue 9 - doi: 10.1097/CHI.0b013e3181af8235): p. pp 909-918.
  26. Padovani, F.H., et al., Anxiety, dysphoria, and depression symptoms in mothers of preterm infants. Psychol Rep, 2009. 104(2): p. 667-79.
  27. Bellinger, D.L., C. Lubahn, and D. Lorton, Maternal and early life stress effects on immune function: relevance to immunotoxicology. J Immunotoxicol, 2008. 5(4): p. 419-44.
  28. Mattes, E., et al., Maternal mood scores in mid-pregnancy are related to aspects of neonatal immune function. Brain Behav Immun, 2009. 23(3): p. 380-8.
  29. Hibbeln, J.R. and N. Salem, Jr., Dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids and depression: when cholesterol does not satisfy. Am J Clin Nutr, 1995. 62(1): p. 1-9.
  30. Hibbeln, J.R., Seafood consumption, the DHA content of mothers' milk and prevalence rates of postpartum depression: a cross-national, ecological analysis. J Affect Disord, 2002. 69(1-3): p. 15-29.
  31. Otto, S.J., R.H. de Groot, and G. Hornstra, Increased risk of postpartum depressive symptoms is associated with slower normalization after pregnancy of the functional docosahexaenoic acid status. Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids, 2003. 69(4): p. 237-43.
  32. Field, C.J., et al., Lower proportion of CD45R0+ cells and deficient interleukin-10 production by formula-fed infants, compared with human-fed, is corrected with supplementation of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr, 2000. 31(3): p. 291-9.
  33. 33.    Dunstan, J.A. and S.L. Prescott, Does fish oil supplementation in pregnancy reduce the risk of allergic disease in infants? Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol, 2005. 5(3): p. 215-21.
  34. Gottrand, F., Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids influence the immune system of infants. J Nutr, 2008. 138(9): p. 1807S-1812S.
  35. Prescott, S.L., et al., Maternal fish oil supplementation in pregnancy modifies neonatal leukotriene production by cord-blood-derived neutrophils. Clin Sci (Lond), 2007. 113(10): p. 409-16.
  36. Field, C.J., et al., Effect of providing a formula supplemented with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids on immunity in full-term neonates. Br J Nutr, 2008. 99(1): p. 91-9.
  37. Blumer, N. and H. Renz, Consumption of omega3-fatty acids during perinatal life: role in immuno-modulation and allergy prevention. J Perinat Med, 2007. 35 Suppl 1: p. S12-8.
  38. Furuhjelm, C., et al., Fish oil supplementation in pregnancy and lactation may decrease the risk of infant allergy. Acta Paediatr, 2009. 98(9): p. 1461-7.
  39. Forsyth, J.S., et al., Long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation in infant formula and blood pressure in later childhood: follow up of a randomised controlled trial. BMJ, 2003. 326(7396): p. 953.
  40. Sorensen, J.D., et al., Effects of fish oil supplementation in the third trimester of pregnancy on prostacyclin and thromboxane production. Am J Obstet Gynecol, 1993. 168(3 Pt 1): p. 915-22.
  41. Rossi, E. and M. Costa, Fish oil derivatives as a prophylaxis of recurrent miscarriage associated with antiphospholipid antibodies (APL): a pilot study. Lupus, 1993. 2(5): p. 319-23.
  42. uhas, R., K. Pramuk, and E.L. Lien, Human milk fatty acid composition from nine countries varies most in DHA. Lipids, 2006. 41(9): p. 851-8.
  43. Krebs, D.C., NUTRITION FOR THE BRAIN: FEEDING YOUR BRAIN FOR OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE.

 
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