Eating at least two portions of salmon, mackerel and sardines a week as a child can halve the risk of developing asthma as you get older, a new study has revealed.
Queen ‘Mary University of London researchers studied data from 4,500 children born in the 1990s in the UK – that have been monitored by scientists since birth.
Those who consumed at least two portions of omega-3 heavy fish were 50 per cent less likely to develop the life-threatening respiratory illness between the ages of 11 and 14, according to new research.
In the UK, young families that include children aged five to 11 consume the least amount of fish – with just 25 per cent of homes having it at least twice a week.
One-in-eleven youngsters – 1.1 million children – are receiving treatment for asthma and most adult cases begin in childhood, according to the Queen Mary researchers.
Those in the top quarter for fish consumption had a 51 per cent lower risk of developing asthma than their peers who consume the least oily fish. Stock image
Senior author Professor Seif Shaheen said: ‘Asthma is the most common chronic condition in childhood and we currently don’t know how to prevent it.
‘It is possible a poor diet may increase the risk, but until now most studies have taken ‘snap-shots’, measuring diet and asthma over a short period of time.
‘Instead, we measured diet and then followed up children over many years to see who developed asthma and who didn’t.’
Seafood is abundant in healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Oily varieties – which also include kippers, trout and fresh tuna – have the most.
The finding is based on more than 4,500 participants in the Children of the 90s programme that has tracked the lives of youngsters born in south-west England to learn more about diseases – including asthma.
Those in the top quarter for fish consumption had a 51 per cent lower risk of developing asthma than their peers who consume the least oily fish.
It applied to individuals with the gene variant FADS (fatty acid desaturase) – carried by over half of the children involved in the study.
The common mutation slashes levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood.
Known as EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), these genetic mutations cut inflammation.
Seafood is abundant in healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Oily varieties – which also include kippers, mackerel, trout and fresh tuna – have the most
The study published in the European Respiratory Journal estimated intake of EPA and DHA from fish at seven years old from food frequency questionnaires.
This was compared to the rate of new cases of doctor-diagnosed asthma at 11 to 14.
Shaheen said: ‘Whilst we cannot say for certain that eating more fish will prevent asthma in children, based on our findings, it would nevertheless be sensible for children in the UK to consume more fish.’
The results were confirmed in an independent cohort of people born in Sweden.
Shaheen’s team – which included colleagues at the universities of Bristol and and Southampton and the Karolinska Institute, Stockholm – now plan to see if eating fish can stave off asthma attacks in people who already have the condition.
The NHS spends around £1 billion a year treating and caring for people with asthma.
Previous research has found children with asthma who follow a Mediterranean diet enriched with fatty fish have better lung function.
Evidence is growing that a healthy diet could be a therapy for childhood asthma.
Other studies have found regular consumption of oily fish lowers heart attack and stroke triggering blood fats by more than a quarter.
Omega- 3 fatty acids are also known to boost mood and slash risk of depression.
They are essential for the brain and body to function properly – preventing dementia, diabetes and arthritis.
Dr Alister McNeish, Associate Professor in Cardiovascular Pharmacology, University of Reading, said the success of oily fish in reducing asthma risk is down to genes.
‘This interesting data indicates that higher rates of early childhood of fish consumption and thus omega-3 fatty acid consumption appears to be associated with a lower rate of asthma; but only in children who have a common gene make up that is associated with lower levels of omega-3 in the blood (FADS genotype).
Dr Alister McNeish, Associate Professor in Cardiovascular Pharmacology, University of Reading, said the success of oily fish in reducing asthma risk is down to genes. Stock image
‘In the cohort as a whole and children who do not carry this gene-make up the link between fish consumption and asthma does not occur, which is consistent with previous cohort studies where no link was found between fish consumption and asthma.’
‘These findings do not constitute proof that eating more fish in childhood prevents asthma,; said McNeish, adding that ‘levels of omega-3 consumption in the UK are often below recommended levels.’
‘The observations are consistent with other areas of omega-3 research such as in the cardiovascular system where a beneficial effect is often only seen in people with low intake or low blood levels omega-3s.’
The findings have been published in the European Respiratory Journal.