Clinical studies suggest that supplementing Omega 3 fatty acids in pregnancy and whilst breastfeeding promote immune development and reduce development of allergies and eczema in infants. A recent study suggests that a window of opportunity exists during pregnancy and in the first 6 months of life, after which omega 3 fatty acid supplementation doesn’t seem to have any positive impact on allergies. Fish oil supplementation and breastfeeding seem to reduce allergic sensitisation, allergy development and eczema in infancy. At this stage it is not clear how much fish oil needs to be supplemented in pregnancy and infancy. Supplementing 650mg daily was used in the study (expressing capsules containing 280mg DHA and 110mg EPA)).
Prescott et al. Fish oil supplementation in early infancy modulates developing infant immune responses. Clinical & Experimemtal Allergy 2012 (42) 1206-1216
