Children, Omega-3s reduce mite and milk allergies
Omega 3 Children: fewer mite and milk allergies
Taking Omega-3 rich fish oil supplements in the first six months of life reduces dust mite and milk protein allergies in infants Taking Omega-3 rich fish oil supplements helps reduce dust mite and milk protein allergies in infants. The finding, which adds new details to the anti-allergic properties of these fatty acids, was published in the journal Clinica and Experimental Allergy1 and is the work of a group of researchers led by Susan Prescott of the University of Western Australia in Perth, Australia.
Omega-3s and the health of children
Omega-3 fatty acids are beneficial for the development of the baby already during gestation. Several studies have, in fact, demonstrated the benefits to the baby of the future mother's intake of these nutrients. In particular, Omega-3s are crucial for the proper development of the baby's nervous system. Not only that, taking these fatty acids during pregnancy reduces inflammatory phenomena in childhood. Even after birth, increasing Omega-3 consumption continues to exert beneficial effects on health. Research to date has shown that, in addition to reducing inflammation, these nutrients promote the development of intellectual abilities both in children without learning problems and in young children with certain behavioral disorders. Other positive effects exerted by Omega-3s in children are the improvement of symptoms of these same behavioral disorders and the reduction of asthma and the intensity of asthma attacks.
A closer look at allergies
The benefits, however, do not stop there. Several studies suggest that, taken at various stages of development, Omega-3s can counteract various allergic phenomena. Research in mice has, in fact, shown that a diet enriched in Omega-3s could be a valuable aid in the treatment of food allergies. In addition, taking these fatty acids during pregnancy reduces the incidence of eczema and egg allergy in unborn children. Finally, in children, increased Omega-3s counteract atopic dermatitis. The study conducted by Prescott and colleagues is, however, the first to examine the effect of fish oil supplementation during the first six months of life. Children involved in the research were given either an Omega-3-free oil or fish oil containing 280 mg of DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and 110 mg of EPA (eicosahexaenoic acid), the two main food-derived Omega-3s, every day from birth to six months of age. At the end of the study, researchers checked the presence of molecules involved in allergic reactions in children's blood. The analysis showed that in addition to having higher levels of EPA and DHA in their blood, the young children who had received the fish oil were characterized by a lower allergic response to dust mites and milk proteins. According to the authors, these results support the hypothesis that adequate levels of Omega-3 in the earliest stages after birth have a positive effect on the development of the immune system and allergies. However, although the doses of Omega-3 given to the children were quite high, the increase in EPA and DHA detected in the blood was modest. Among the possible justifications for this effect, the researchers also include an ineffective method of administration: some of the fish oil may have remained in the capsules or been spit out by the children. Therefore, the authors speculate that a method based on themother 'sintake of the fish oil during breastfeeding might be more effective. New studies will clarify these details.
Source:
1. D'Vaz N, Meldrum SJ, Dunstan JA, Lee-Pullen TF, Metcalfe J, Holt BJ, Serralha M, Tulic MK, Mori TA, Prescott SL, "Fish oil supplementation in early infancy modulates developing infant immune responses," Clin Exp Allergy. 2012 Aug;42(8):1206-1
