Apples and Fish During Pregnancy….Less allergic offspring

A recent study concluded that “…consumption of apples and fish during pregnancy may have a protective effect against the development of childhood asthma and allergic disease.” Now I wouldn’t eat them together, but it is another study proving that maternal nutrition plays a pivotal role in a child’s health. It sure seems that there is an increase in asthma, eczema and psoriasis. It is either the genetic quality of the kids, maybe they just don’t make ’em like they used to, or it is environmental. Now certainly kids are born to older parents nowadays so the former may be true, however I think it is the latter that is the real issue. From the pollution we breathe to the pollution we put in our body. Unfortunately the pollution we put in our body we sometimes call ‘food’. However some of it shouldn’t really be consumed. The fried vegetable oils, rancid flours, pesticide laden foods and worse yet genetically engineered food. Anyway back to this study….
It was a longitudinal birth cohort study involving 1,212 children, results indicating that maternal consumption of apples and fish during pregnancy may exert a protective effect against childhood asthma and allergic disease. Maternal diet was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), which unfortunately isn’t very reliable. The cohort children were followed up with at 5 years of age. Maternal fish intake during pregnancy was inversely associated with risk of doctor-confirmed eczema. Maternal consumption of fish one or more times per week was associated with a 43% reduced risk of doctor-confirmed eczema, compared to no consumption. Additionally, maternal consumption of apples during pregnancy was inversely associated with risk of ever wheeze, ever asthma, and doctor-confirmed asthma, in children. Highest maternal consumption of apples during pregnancy was associated with a 37% reduced risk of ever wheeze, a 46% reduced risk of ever asthma, and a 53% reduced risk of doctor-confirmed asthma, compared to the lowest third of apple consumption.
Eat smart during pregnancy. You need 3x as much protein as normal, 150 grams or more. Lots of fruits and veggies, avoid the fried foods and flours.
In Health,
George Mandler
Licensed Acupuncturist & Nutritionist Dietitian
Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, & Nutrition
Boston, Jamaica Plain, Brookline, Massachusetts