Oily fish can reduce asthma symptoms

A clinical trial led by La Trobe University has found that eating oily fish such as salmon, mackerel and sardines, can reduce asthma symptoms among children.

The study found that lung function was improved among children who ate a Mediterranean diet including two meals of fatty fish per week for six months.

Professor Catherine Itsiopoulos, Head of the School of Allied Health at La Trobe University, told Ross and John that the oils in fish weren’t the only reason for the findings.

“By children eating two meals of fish per week they’re displacing other meals which are unhealthy, so there’s that element as well as the benefits of the oils in the fish,” she said.

Asthma sufferers who dislike the taste fish are out of luck, as fish oil doesn’t have the same effect.

“The evidence for fish oil is not that strong…it’s fish intake that’s associated with improved asthma symptoms,” Professor Itsiopoulos said.

Press PLAY below to hear Professor Catherine Itsiopoulos on 3AW Breakfast this morning.