Fish oil supplements in allergy link

Fish oil and “friendly” bacteria supplements taken during and after pregnancy can reduce the risk of childhood allergies, a major study has found.

A daily fish oil capsule taken after the 20th week of pregnancy and for the first three or four months of breastfeeding cut the chances of a child developing an egg allergy by 30 per cent, the research showed.

Eczema risk was reduced by 22 per cent in children whose mothers took a probiotic supplement between 36 and 38 weeks of pregnancy.

Adding beneficial bacteria to the diet during the first three to six months of breastfeeding had the same effect.

The findings come from one of the biggest investigations of maternal diet and childhood allergy ever undertaken.

Scientists pooled data from more than 400 studies involving 1.5 million mothers and their children.

While clear benefits were seen from fish oil and probiotics, there was no evidence that avoiding potentially allergytriggering foods such as nuts, dairy produce and eggs during pregnancy had any effect.

Lead researcher Dr Robert Boyle, from Imperial College London, said: “Our research suggests probiotic and fish oil supplements may reduce a child’s risk of developing an allergic condition, and these findings need to be considered when guidelines for pregnant women are updated.”