In reply: Sherriff is correct in pointing out that the studies showing protection from bronchial asthma (and bronchial hyperresponsiveness) are based on consumption of fish meals rather than a direct measure of omega-3 fatty acid intake. This protection has been observed consistently in cross-sectional studies of New South Wales primary school children. Thus, the level of evidence is at best Level III, albeit using a proxy for omega-3 fatty acid intake.
Correspondence:
- 1. Mihrshahi S, Peat JK, Marks GB, et al. Effect of house dust mite reduction and dietary Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation from birth on atopy and wheeze in 18 month old children. Available at: http://www.thoracic.org.au/p35.pdf (accessed February 2003).
- 2. Mihrshahi S, Peat JK, Marks GB et al. Eighteen-month outcomes of house dust mite avoidance and dietary fatty acid modification in the Childhood Asthma Prevention Study (CAPS). J Allergy Clin Immunol 2003; 111: 162-168.
- 3. Mellis CM. Is asthma prevention possible with dietary manipulation? Med J Aust 2002; 177 (16 Sep Suppl): S78-S80. <eMJA full text>
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