Fish Oil Supplements In Pregnancy May Reduce Baby's Risk Of Allergies

New research released this week suggests that taking fish oil supplements during pregnancy (and the first few months of breastfeeding) may reduce the chances of babies developing a food allergy.

The large scale analysis, which was carried out by Imperial College London, suggested there was a 30% reduction in egg allergy risk by the age of one. This is attributed to the Omega-3, which is a fatty acid, known for its amazing anti-inflammatory effects.  It can also be found in oily fish, but expecting mums are advised not to eat more than two portions of oily fish per week, due to the potentially high mercury content.

Dr Robert Boyle, lead author of the research, from the department of medicine at 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.”

The impact of probiotic supplements taken during pregnancy was also looked at, and it was discovered that there was a 22% reduction in the risk of eczema developing in children up to the age of three.

But, perhaps surprisingly, there was no evidence to suggest that avoiding foods such as nuts, dairy and eggs during pregnancy made any difference to a child’s allergy risk.

More research is needed, but early indications that taking Omega-3 and probiotic supplements during pregnancy look promising.