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An analysis of data from 1.5 million mothers suggests that taking some supplements during pregnancy may protect future children from allergies, while avoiding nuts doesn’t seem to have any effect.
“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,” says Robert Boyle, of Imperial College London.
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His team’s analysis found that a daily fish oil capsule taken after the twentieth week of pregnancy and for the first three to four months of breastfeeding cut the chances of a child developing an egg allergy by 30 per cent.
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Eczema risk was 22 per cent lower in children whose mothers took a probiotic supplement between 36 and 38 weeks of pregnancy.
Avoid liver oil
One theory for rising allergies in western countries is that we now encounter a less diverse range of microbes. Probiotics contain live bacteria, so it may be that taking these during pregnancy or breastfeeding may help a child’s immune system.
Previous studies have suggested that omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil may help to calm down over-active immune systems, reducing allergy risk. But pregnant women should be careful – the UK National Health Service says women shouldn’t take any supplements containing vitamin A (retinol), including fish liver oils.
Instead of taking fish oil supplements, the NHS recommends that pregnant women eat fish instead because it contains various beneficial nutrients. Pregnant women are advised not to eat too much tuna or oily fish, but non-oily fish are still a good source of omega-3s.
The study found no evidence that avoiding certain allergenic foods – such as nuts, dairy produce or eggs – during pregnancy had any protective effect on the women’s children.
Journal reference: PLoS Medicine
Read more: Eating fish as a child seems to protect you from hay fever
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