Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 12, 2026
Measuring Oral Fatty Acid Thresholds, Fat Perception, Fatty Food Liking, and Papillae Density in Humans
Published on: June 4, 2014
Breastmilk fatty acids in relation to sensitization - the ALADDIN birth cohort
H Rosenlund1,2, S Fagerstedt3, J Alm3,4
1Department of Clinical Science and Education, Karolinska Institutet, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden. helen.rosenlund@ki.se.
Insights
Higher breastmilk omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may reduce childhood sensitization risk. However, this did not explain the lower allergy risk observed in children from anthroposophic families.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Nutritional Science
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Childhood allergic diseases are a growing concern.
- Anthroposophic lifestyles are linked to lower rates of allergic sensitization in children.
- The role of breastmilk fatty acids (FAs) in this protective effect is unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between breastmilk FA composition and allergic sensitization in children.
- To determine if breastmilk omega-3 PUFA levels explain the reduced sensitization in children from anthroposophic families.
Main Methods:
- Prospective birth cohort study (ALADDIN) in Sweden (n=330).
- Breastmilk samples (n=245) analyzed for FA composition at 2 months.
- Allergen-specific IgE levels measured at 6, 12, and 24 months.
Main Results:
- Higher total omega-3 PUFA concentration in breastmilk was inversely associated with child sensitization up to 24 months (P for trend=0.024).
- No association found between omega-6 PUFAs or ruminant FAs and sensitization.
- Children from anthroposophic families had 56% lower sensitization risk compared to non-anthroposophic families.
Conclusions:
- Increased breastmilk omega-3 PUFAs may offer protection against childhood sensitization.
- Breastmilk FA composition, specifically omega-3 PUFAs, did not fully account for the lower sensitization rates in anthroposophic families.
Background:
Breastmilk fatty acids (FAs) have been associated with childhood allergic disease. Children of families with an anthroposophic lifestyle have a low prevalence of sensitization compared to reference groups. This study aimed to investigate whether the lower prevalence of sensitization among these children can be explained by the differences in breastmilk FA composition.
Methods:
The prospective birth cohort ALADDIN included 330 children from anthroposophic, partly anthroposophic and nonanthroposophic families recruited between 2004 and 2007 in Sweden. In total, 245 breastmilk samples, collected at 2 months of age, were analysed for FA composition. Allergen-specific IgE levels against seven common allergens were measured in the blood samples at the ages of 6, 12 and 24 months. Data were analysed longitudinally using generalized estimating equations.
Results:
An inverse association was observed between total concentration of omega-3 PUFA in breastmilk and sensitization in the child up to 24 months of age (highest vs lowest quartile, RRadj 0. 49, 95% CI 0.23-1.05, P for trend 0.024). No associations were observed between omega-6 PUFAs or ruminant FAs and sensitization. Overall, we observed 56% lower risks of sensitization among the anthroposophic group compared to the nonanthroposophic group (RRadj 0.44, 95% CI 0.21-0.90). This association remained largely unchanged when breastmilk omega-3 PUFA was included in the model.
Conclusion:
Our results indicate that a higher concentration of omega-3 PUFAs in breastmilk may be associated with a reduced risk of sensitization up to 24 months of age; however, this did not explain the lower risk of sensitization among children of anthroposophic families.
