SINGAPORE: A new study has found that pregnant women
who consume higher amounts of fatty fish, reduce the risk of their
babies developing allergies.
Fish such as salmon, herring and mackerel are high
in Omega 3 fatty acids, which are known to boost the immune
system.
Dr Eline M Van Der Beek, research director at the
Singapore Danone Research Centre, said: "If you can improve Omega 3
fatty acids exposure during pregnancy, you get more built into the
baby's tissues and this will improve the development of the immune
system, leading to a lower risk of allergy."
The Netherlands study involved over 120 pregnant women.
Half were kept on a low fatty acid diet, while the others consumed
salmon twice a week.
The women who ate salmon had babies who tested with stronger immune
systems at birth.
They were also less sensitive to allergies.
The study also noted that women worldwide have an imbalance of
Omega 6 and Omega 3 fatty acids - both are needed to combat heart
disease and boost the immune system.
Women tend to eat too little fatty fish, and consume too much
vegetable oil, which is high in Omega 6 fatty acids.
This imbalance is passed on to their babies, making them prone to
allergies.
- CNA/cc
