Eating Fish In Infancy May Fight Allergies

 I see a lot of very young kids with allergies. For many years scientists believed that feeding fish to children in their early years might precipitate an allergic response, but three recent studies may have revealed that the opposite is true.

 According to New York Times columnist Anahad O'Connor, "now scientists  say that introducing fish at an early age may help protect against allergies.  The prevalence of allergic diseases may correspond to a drop in our consumption of immune-strengthening omega-3 fatty acids.(found in fish)."

Three recent studies seem to confirm this conclusion. On the website globaltalentnews.com, I read  that in November of 2010, "a study conducted by Gotenburg University in Sweden analyzed the eating habits of more than 8,000 families in western Sweden found that children who started eating fish before nine months old were less likely to develop allergic rhinitis at an average age of 4.5 years than children who started eating fish later in life."

And last year in the Journal of Pediatrics, an interesting study found "a lower  prevalence of asthma-like symptoms among children introduced to fish between 6 and 12 months," according to Anahad O'Connor.

O'Connor also stated that similar findings were also found in a report issued by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.  He said that the report "followed 3,300 children from age 1 until age 12.  Tests showed that those diets that included at least two servings of fish monthly were about 75 percent less likely to have allergy symptoms."

While maybe eating a fish may help limit or prevent allergy and asthma symptoms, but there seems to be no direct link between the two.  So what's needed is more studies that prove a definitive link.

For over 25 years, I've been assisting NY allergy sufferers beat allergies and overcome symptoms.  Feel free to contact my office with your allergy, asthma and sinus questions and arrange for a consultation at #212-247-7447.

Read the Times blog piece here