Asthma theory

IRELAND has the fourth highest prevalence of asthma in the world.

Many of these cases are thought to be hereditary, but a new study from Holland says children who eat fish regularly in their first year are less likely to develop asthma.

The Erasmus Medical Center, in Rotterdam, studied 7,000 children, and concluded that early exposure to fatty acids in fish protects against asthma.

In the journal, Pediatrics, lead study author, Jessica Kiefte-de Jong, said: “Introduction of fish between six and 12 months — but not fish consumption afterward — is associated with a lower prevalence of wheezing. A window of exposure between the age of six and 12 months might exist, in which fish might be associated with a reduced risk of asthma.”

Louis Coyne, programme co-ordinator for research and education with the Asthma Society of Ireland, said although the study is thorough, it isn’t conclusive. “There have been quite a few studies over the past few years looking at the effects of certain foods on asthma, and while this Dutch study looks robust, it doesn’t really go into exact person structure,” he says.

“For example, T Bernard Kinane, chief of the paediatric pulmonary unit for Mass General Hospital for Children in Boston, said that more research needs to be done, as there is the theory that families who feed their children fish from an early age may be different in a lot of ways to those who don’t, and may have differing lifestyles anyway.’

An estimated 470,000 people in Ireland have asthma, and Coyne says while there is no one cause or cure, it can be treated.

“There are no set parameters as to who is most likely to develop asthma,” he says. “There are no hard-and-fast rules, but factors such as genetics, socio-economic status, environment and lifestyle all seem to have some impact.

So, although we can’t say how it can be prevented, the risks may be minimised by ensuring mothers have a good diet and don’t smoke during pregnancy, breast-feed their babies and have a healthy home environment.”

Dr Daniel McCartney, of INDI (Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute), says fish oils are beneficial to children and adults for various reasons, and we should all include them in our diet.

“Research has shown the benefits of omega 3 in relation to cognitive development,” he says. “And consuming oily fish from an early age will help to improve memory and the speed in which the brain functions, but it has also been shown to have cardiovascular benefits and helps to reduce inflammation, which is why it has been linked to conditions such as asthma and eczema.”

* For more information, visit www.indi.ie and www.asthmasociety.ie or call 1850 44 54 64