We conducted a double-blind randomized controlled trial to understand how prenatal supplementation of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) might influence infant health, particularly concerning the common cold. Pregnant women were given either a daily dose of 400 mg of DHA or a placebo starting at 18 to 22 weeks of gestation until childbirth.
Caregivers then reported on their infants’ health at 1, 3, and 6 months, sharing details about common illness symptoms. We found that DHA supplementation appeared to reduce the number of colds at one month and also seemed to lessen the duration of various cold symptoms in infants. Specifically, infants in the DHA group experienced fewer cold symptoms and had shorter durations of cough and wheezing.
While the overall occurrence of specific illness symptoms was similar between the DHA and placebo groups, DHA did bring about noteworthy benefits. At 1 month, infants in the DHA group had a 26% shorter duration of cough and 30% shorter wheezing; however, they experienced a longer duration of rash.
Furthermore, by the time the infants reached 3 months, those whose mothers took DHA were ill for 14% less time overall. At 6 months, the DHA group showed significantly reduced durations of several illness indicators, although they did experience longer episodes of vomiting.
This study suggests that prenatal DHA not only seems to impact the occurrence of colds in children but may also play a role in the duration of symptoms over the first half-year of life.
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Omega-3 effects on viral infectionsRationale and design of the pragmatic randomized trial of icosapent ethyl for high cardiovascular risk adults (MITIGATE).
Low relevance to cold treatment
We examined the MITIGATE study, focusing on the effects of icosapent ethyl (IPE), a purified omega-3 fatty acid, in adults with cardiovascular disease at risk for viral upper respiratory infections.
With about 16,500 participants, this clinical trial compared IPE treatment against usual care. The goal was to see if IPE could lessen the severity and impact of viral infections over six months.
Unfortunately, there was no significant evidence found that IPE improved outcomes for upper respiratory infections in this group.
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DHA/ARA reduces colds and allergiesThe impact of early nutrition on incidence of allergic manifestations and common respiratory illnesses in children.
Relevant findings on early nutrition
We investigated whether feeding infants formula supplemented with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid (ARA) could impact the development of allergies and respiratory illnesses until age three.
In a well-structured, randomized, double-blind study, we followed children who received either supplemented or nonsupplemented formulas during their first year of life. Our findings showed that those on the DHA/ARA formula had significantly lower chances of developing upper respiratory infections and common allergic diseases.
Notably, the DHA/ARA group experienced a delayed onset and reduced incidence of respiratory issues, indicating potential benefits of early nutrition on long-term health.
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