Lower meat consumption during pregnancy was found to be associated with an increased risk of substance misuse in the offspring later in life, reveals a new study.
The findings come from a study published in Alcoholism: Clinical and Experimental Research.
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‘Women who avoid consuming meat during pregnancy were linked with later substance misuse by children during adolescence.’
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In the study that included 5109 women and their offspring, less frequent consumption of red meat, poultry, and meat products during pregnancy were associated with greater risks of adverse alcohol, cannabis and cigarette use.
Lower meat consumption disproportionally increased the risks of offspring substance misuse among mothers with optimally functional variants of the gene that encodes a vitamin B12 transport protein.
![Parental Substance Use Affects Children]( "Parental Substance Use Affects Children")
One in five U.S. children grows up in a home in which someone has a substance use disorder are at higher risk for mental health and behavioral problems.
Because vitamin B12 insufficiencies are highly likely to have a contributing role to the study's findings, greater meat consumption need not be advised to modify this risk.
Fortification of foods with vegetarian sources of vitamin B12 and more widespread use of supplements may be other options.
"The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans includes recommendations for healthy vegetarian eating patterns," said Dr. Joseph Hibbeln, lead author of the study.
"Our study points to the need to investigate potential health impacts, and solutions, for some women who choose to restrict certain food categories during pregnancy."
Source: Eurekalert
Parental Substance Use Affects Children
One in five U.S. children grows up in a home in which someone has a substance use disorder are at higher risk for mental health and behavioral problems.
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Because vitamin B12 insufficiencies are highly likely to have a contributing role to the study's findings, greater meat consumption need not be advised to modify this risk.
Fortification of foods with vegetarian sources of vitamin B12 and more widespread use of supplements may be other options.
"The U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans includes recommendations for healthy vegetarian eating patterns," said Dr. Joseph Hibbeln, lead author of the study.
"Our study points to the need to investigate potential health impacts, and solutions, for some women who choose to restrict certain food categories during pregnancy."
Source: Eurekalert
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NIH monitoring the future survey shows use of most illicit substances down, but past year marijuana use relatively stable.
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 Online Support Groups Not as Effective in Curbing Substance Use Among YouthPeople reported that they were less likely to be dishonest in meetings than online. This could help explain the lower success rate of online support programs. | Advertisement
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