Despite intensive research into the factors that influence allergy development, scientists remain unsure about the exact causes of reactions brought on by certain foods and other environmental irritants. However, whatever the root cause of these incidents may be, a new study has revealed that early intervention may help prevent babies from developing these sensitivities by fortifying their immune systems.
Over the course of the study, 280 babies were given a daily fish oil supplement for the first six months of their lives. The nutritional supplement authority NutraIngredients U.S.A reports that, when researchers analyzed the blood tests of 120 of the children, they discovered that they had higher levels of two omega-3 fatty acids in their blood streams – eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). In addition, those infants were less likely to react to common allergens such dust mites and milk protein.
According to the research abstract, this experiment was conducted after a 2003 study posited that fish oil supplementation had a positive effect on neonatal development. The research, which was also conducted at the University of Western Australia, revealed that there was a lower incidence of allergy development among children of pregnant women who had taken fish oil supplements while pregnant.
The publication notes that the researchers involved in the study were optimistic about the results, and said that further investigation into the benefits of such supplements on the development of infant immune systems was necessary.
The beneficial compounds found in fish oil are readily available in supplement form. Click here for more information on our DHA and EPA products.