Fish for Infants
Feeding fish to babies under nine months reduces their chances of developing wheeze and asthma. Treatments with broad spectrum antibiotics raises the risk of wheezing, asthma and also allergic reactions.
In a study, researchers gathered data from 8176 randomly chosen families with babies. The parents were asked to answer questions when the babies were six months, 12 months and 4 1/2 years old. The first set of questions included queries on the administration of broad spectrum antibiotics and pregnancy relevant factors in addition to the introduction of fish meat in the baby’s diet. The last set of questions gathered data on current health, past diseases and eating habits. Researchers also examined children that had experienced more than three episodes of wheezing during the last year.
Analysis shoed that a high fish intake during pregnancy and early introduction of fish reduces the risk of wheezing and allergic reactions. Researchers conclude that increased levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids taken from fish meals reduces the chances of wheezing and allergy by up to 50 percent.