Innovation Anthology #113: Assistant Professor, Public Health and AIHS Translational Health Chair in Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing

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What impact nutrition has on the mental health of pregnant women and their newborn babies is the focus of a new study called APRON, Alberta Pregnancy Outcomes and Nutrition.

According to principle investigator Dr. Catherine Field, the nutrition aspect of the study will focus on three micro-nutrients that are often deficient in western diets – Omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and folic acid.

DR. CATHERINE FIELD: If we look at the Omega-3 fatty acids, they’re in very high concentrations in the brain. And we know from animal work if they’re insufficient in the diet we have effects on learning and effects on normal brain development. The iron is very important for some of the signals in the brain. And we know in children if there’s insufficient iron there’s effects on learning behavior. But that’s really been done in older children. And the B vitamins are also very important in both the development of brain cells but also in the optimal function of brain cells.

Dr. Field’s team hopes that by uncovering links between nutrition and depression during pregnancy, they can develop intervention programs.

Thanks today to the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research.

FOR INNOVATION ANTHOLOGY, I’M CHERYL CROUCHER

NOTE:  The former AHFMR is now called Alberta Innovates Health Solutions

Guest

Cheryl Currie, PhD,

University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canadaa, cheryl.currie@uleth.ca

Sponsor

Alberta Innovates Health Solutions

Alberta Innovates (formerly Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions)

As the newly formed Alberta Innovates corporation, we still fund top quality, internationally competitive health research and innovation activities to improve the health and wellbeing of Albertans. We provide leadership for Alberta’s health research and innovation enterprise by directing, coordinating, reviewing, funding and supporting research and innovation.

Working with our many partners  in the health system, we ensure that research achieves innovation in care, policy and practice, and that the needs of patients and clinicians influence research.

Our background

Alberta Innovates consolidation was launched November 1, 2016.

Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions

Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions was established as part of the Alberta Innovates system by an Act of Legislation of the Government of Alberta. It is a agency  of the Government of Alberta. We receive a yearly allocation from the Ministry of Health and report through the ministry to the people of Alberta.

Our Mandate and Roles document reflects our role and responsibilities and outlines the government statues and regulations with which we comply.

Alberta’s Health Research and Innovation Strategy (AHRIS) sets out Alberta’s health research agenda for the coming decade to ensure our considerable investments in research align with our priority—to improve the health of Albertans.

Program Date: 2008-03-04