We focused on understanding how eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), a type of omega-3 fatty acid found in fish, influences the prevalence of eczema among Japanese school-aged children. The study included 135 students with eczema, 136 with asthma, and 137 healthy controls, all from the fifth and eighth grades in Shunan, Japan.
Through questionnaires, we assessed the participants' dietary intake, specifically their fish consumption, and measured total serum IgE levels, a marker linked to allergic responses. The results indicated that those who consumed fatty or dried fish had a lower prevalence of eczema compared to others, highlighting the potential protective effect of fish in our diet.
Interestingly, we saw that only the levels of EPA in the blood had a negative association with eczema, meaning higher EPA levels may reduce the incidence of this condition. Despite these encouraging findings regarding EPA and eczema, we found that fish consumption did not have a significant effect on asthma.
Overall, our findings suggest that including more fish in the diet could be beneficial for reducing eczema in children, with EPA playing a key role in this protective effect.