Early results of a double-blind study carried out in Sweden indicate the maternal consumption of omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy and breastfeeding may lower the risk of the child developing allergies. One-year-olds whose mothers had ingested fish oil during pregnancy and breastfeeding had considerably fewer allergic reactions than children whose mothers did not take the supplement.

The blood of women who were given fish oil had less prostaglandin E2 than that of the placebo group. Prostaglandin E2 is a substance that triggers allergic immune responses, and it is known to decrease when the concentration of omega-3 increases.

The study is yet to be completed and the team plan to monitor the development of allergies in the children as they grow. Immunological tests on the childrens’ blood will be carried out, as will further examination for other symptoms of allergy.