New Systematic Reviews on Seafood and Brain Development
A team of international researchers, including Dr. William S. Harris of OmegaQuant, recently conducted two comprehensive systematic reviews to evaluate how seafood consumption influences children’s neurocognitive development.
The reviews focused on:
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Seafood intake during pregnancy and lactation and its effect on infant and child brain development.
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Seafood intake during childhood and adolescence and its effect on neurocognition.
After analyzing nearly 45 studies involving more than 100,000 mother-child pairs and over 16,000 children and adolescents, the conclusion was clear: seafood consumption consistently supports better neurocognitive outcomes.
Key Findings: Seafood and Pregnancy
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Pregnant women who consumed seafood had children with higher IQ scores (average 7.7 points higher) compared to mothers who ate no seafood.
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Benefits were observed at even modest intake levels (~4 oz per week) and increased with higher consumption, well beyond the current U.S. FDA/EPA guidance of 12 oz per week.
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Importantly, no studies reported harmful neurocognitive effects of seafood consumption, even at very high intakes (>100 oz per week).
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Measures of child development improved across a wide age range, from reflexes in newborns to memory, attention, and social skills in adolescents.
These results challenge current U.S. dietary recommendations and suggest that expecting mothers may benefit from greater seafood consumption, regardless of mercury content, because the nutritional benefits outweigh potential risks.
Seafood Intake in Children and Adolescents
The second review confirmed similar trends in children:
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Eating more than 4 oz per week, and ideally above 12 oz per week, was linked to stronger outcomes in language, motor skills, communication, memory, and social behavior.
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No adverse effects were reported, reinforcing the idea that regular seafood intake during childhood is safe and beneficial.
Omega-3s and Brain Growth in Infants
Complementing these reviews, a Cerebral Cortex study found that higher maternal omega-3 intake—particularly DHA—was associated with increased brain volume in infants, especially in regions linked to decision-making and communication (frontal lobes, corpus callosum).
While more research is needed to link these structural changes to long-term outcomes, the study supports the view that maternal DHA directly contributes to early brain development.
Omega-3s and ADHD: A Personalized Approach
In addition to pregnancy and early life benefits, omega-3s may help children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). A clinical trial conducted by King’s College London and China Medical University showed:
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Children with low blood levels of EPA experienced significant improvements in attention and vigilance after omega-3 supplementation.
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In fact, the improvements were as strong as standard ADHD medications in this subgroup.
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However, in children with already high EPA levels, supplementation had little effect—and in some cases, worsened impulsivity.
This suggests a personalized medicine approach: omega-3 supplementation may be most effective for children with documented deficiencies, highlighting the importance of blood testing to guide treatment.
Takeaway: Seafood and Omega-3s Are Essential for Growing Brains
The collective evidence strongly supports the role of seafood and omega-3 fatty acids (EPA and DHA) in brain health—from pregnancy through adolescence.
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For mothers: Regular seafood intake during pregnancy improves birth outcomes and supports long-term cognitive development in children.
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For children: Ongoing seafood consumption promotes language, memory, social development, and may even reduce ADHD-related challenges in those with low omega-3 levels.
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For healthcare and policy: Current dietary guidelines may underestimate the safe and beneficial upper ranges of seafood intake.
The message is simple: ensuring adequate omega-3 intake from seafood or supplements can provide lifelong cognitive and developmental advantages.