Regularly eating fish as a child can halve the risk of developing asthma (哮喘)，as you get older, according to a team of scientists.
Queen Mary University of London researchers studied data from more than 4,500 children born in the 1990s in the UK that have been monitored by scientists since birth. Those who consumed the most omega-3 heavy fish were less likely to develop the life-threatening illness.
In the UK young families that include children aged 5 to 11 consume the least amount of fish—with just 25 percent of homes having it at least twice a week. One -in -eleven youngsters—1. 1million children —are receiving treatment for asthma and most adult cases begin in childhood, according to the researchers. Senior author Professor Seif Shaheen said, "Asthma is the most common chronic (慢性的) condition in childhood and we currently don't know how to prevent it. It is possible a poor diet may increase the risk, but until now most studies have taken snapshots, measuring diet and asthma over a short period of time. Instead, we measured diet and then followed up children over many years to see who developed asthma and who didn't. "
The researchers found that those in the top quarter for fish consumption had a 51 percent lower risk of developing asthma than those who consume the least oily fish. Seafood is abundant in healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Oily varieties have the most. Shaheen added,"Whilst we cannot say for certain that eating more fish will prevent asthma in children, based on your findings, it would nevertheless be sensible for children in the UK to consume more fish. "
The results were confirmed in an independent group of people born in Sweden. Shaheen's team now plan to see if eating fish can help deal with asthma in people who already have the condition.
