CAMPAIGNS to reduce heart disease by promoting polyunsaturated margarines and
cooking oils could be partly responsible for the recent dramatic increase in
childhood asthma in the developed world, say researchers in Australia.
They have found that a diet high in polyunsaturated fats more than doubles a
child’s risk of asthma.
Polyunsaturated fats contain high levels of omega-6 fatty acids, which can
increase inflammation. This is one possible explanation for the link with
asthma, says a team led by Michelle Haby of the Royal Children’s Hospital in
Melbourne.
“But at this stage, children should not be changing their diet,” says Haby.…
