Cod liver oil may help prevent childhood ear infections

July 11, 2002

Published on: 9-7-2002

Children who are given a daily dose of cod liver oil may reduce their

chances of suffering from middle ear infections, according US experts.

Researchers from the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary say that giving a

child a daily teaspoon of cod liver oil, which contains vitamins A and D

and omega-3 fatty acids, together with a multivitamin tablet containing

selenium, can help prevent the ear infection otitis media, or reduce the

amount of antibiotics needed to cure the condition. The researchers took

blood samples from 44 children with otitis media and tested for important

chemicals. They found that the levels of three chemicals were lower in the

children than in adults: vitamin A, an " anti-infective " vitamin; selenium,

a trace metal important for mopping up free radicals that are generated as

part of inflammation and immune response; and, surprisingly,

eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 acid that helps decrease

inflammation. Dr Jay Dolitsky, a member of the study team and director of

paediatric otolaryngology at the infirmary, said, " We then hypothesised

that these children might benefit medically if they were given these three

key nutritional supplements. "

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