Omega-3 useless in allergy prevention

J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007 Jun;119(6):1438-44. Epub 2007 Mar 26.

Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid exposure from early life does not
affect atopy and asthma at age 5 years.

Almqvist C, Garden F, Xuan W, Mihrshahi S, Leeder SR, Oddy W, Webb K,
Marks GB; CAPS team.
Wool*** Institute of Medical Research, Camperdown NSW, Australia.

BACKGROUND: The Childhood Asthma Prevention Study was a randomized
controlled trial conducted in children with a family history of asthma
in whom omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and restriction of dietary
omega-6 fatty acids did not prevent asthma, eczema, or atopy at age 5
years. OBJECTIVE: We sought to examine the relation of all measures of
omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids with outcomes at age 5
years in the whole birth cohort, regardless of randomization group.
METHODS: Plasma fatty acids were measured at 18 months, 3 years, and 5
years. Compliance with the fatty acid supplements was estimated every
6 months. Dietary intake was assessed at 18 months by means of weighed-
food record and at 3 years by means of food-frequency questionnaire.
At age 5 years, 516 children were examined for wheeze and eczema
(questionnaire) and atopy (skin prick tests, n = 488). Multiple
logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between
exposures and outcomes. RESULTS: Plasma levels of omega-3 or omega-6
fatty acids were not associated with wheeze, eczema, or atopy at age 5
years (P = .11-.96). Overall, fatty acid exposure, measured as plasma
levels, dietary intake, and compliance with supplements, was not
associated with any respiratory or allergic outcomes (P = .35-.59).
CONCLUSION: This observational analysis of the cohort, using the full
range of observed variation in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid
exposure, supports the negative findings of the randomized controlled
trial. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Modification of dietary polyunsaturated
fatty acids in early childhood is not helpful in preventing atopy and
asthma.
PMID: 17379291
.

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