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Fish oil at an early age offered little to influence allergies later on
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Fish oil supplements administered early on may not be a promising intervention for preventing allergies later on in life, according to study results published online this week.
Researchers from the Royal Perth Hospital Unit at the University of Western Australia published the results of a double blind trial involving 420 infants who were randomly assigned to receive either fish oil that contained omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids or olive oil as a control.
Although some studies have suggested taking fish oil supplements during pregnancy may reduce the risk for allergies later on, this study demonstrated no overall effect on food allergy, asthma or eczema 6 months after administration. However, the study demonstrated elevated eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid levels in some of the infants who took fish oil supplements.
“While other investigators continue to look for benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in children, this study may not make the list of those documenting benefits,” Lewis R. First, MD, Pediatrics editor in chief, wrote in an accompanying blog.
The researchers noted some study limitations, including that because olive oil has known immunomodulatory, it may not have been the “optimum control oil.” However, they said their study results were unlikely to be obscured, “as allergy rates in both groups are similar to those observe in our previous studies.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant disclosures.
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