In her study, Lammi-Keefe and her colleagues found that infants born of women with more omega-3s in their diet during pregnancy had more developed central nervous systems.

CNN: The skinny on dietary fat: balance it, don't avoid it

Lammi-Keefe also plans to look into whether omega-3s are important in preventing memory loss and stemming the effects of Alzheimer's and other diseases related to the nervous system.

CNN: The skinny on dietary fat: balance it, don't avoid it

The study results point to the possible role omega-3s play in the development and maintenance of the nervous system, says Lammi-Keefe, who recommends that pregnant women eat at least three servings of omega-3-rich fish every week.

CNN: The skinny on dietary fat: balance it, don't avoid it