Effect of dietary intake of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids on severity of asthma in children.

Abstract

We assessed the clinical and biochemical effects in asthmatic children of fish oil supplementation and a diet that increases omega-3 and reduces omega-6 fatty acids. Thirty nine asthmatic children aged 8-12 yrs participated in a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial for 6 months during which they received fish oil capsules plus canola oil and margarine (omega-3 group) or safflower oil capsules plus sunflower oil and margarine (omega-6 group). Plasma fatty acids, stimulated tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) production, circulating eosinophil numbers and lung function were measured at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of dietary modification. Day and night symptoms, peak flow rates and medication use were recorded for 1 week prior to laboratory visits. Plasma phospholipid omega-3 fatty acids were significantly greater in the omega-3 group at 3 and 6 months compared to the omega-6 group (p<0.001). In the omega-3 group TNFalpha production fell significantly compared with baseline (p=0.026), but the magnitude of change between groups did not reach significance (p=0.075). There were no significant changes in clinical outcome measures. Dietary enrichment of omega-3 fatty acids over 6 months increased plasma levels of these fatty acids, reduced stimulated tumour necrosis factor alpha production, but had no effect on the clinical severity of asthma in these children.

• Authors: L Hodge, C M Salome, J M Hughes, D Liu-Brennan, J Rimmer, M Allman, D Pang, C Armour, A J Woolcock
• Journal: The European respiratory journal (Eur Respir J) Vol. 11 Issue 2 Pg. 361-5 (Feb 1998) ISSN: 0903-1936 [Print] England
• PMID: 9551739 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Dietary Fats
• Fatty Acids, Omega-3
• Fatty Acids, Omega-6
• Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Topics

• Asthma (blood, physiopathology)
• Blood Cell Count
• Child
• Dietary Fats (therapeutic use)
• Eosinophils (pathology)
• Fatty Acids, Omega-3 (therapeutic use)
• Fatty Acids, Omega-6
• Fatty Acids, Unsaturated (therapeutic use)
• Forced Expiratory Volume (physiology)
• Humans
• Lung (physiopathology)
• Monocytes (metabolism)
• Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (biosynthesis)