Effects of Maternal Diet during Pregnancy or Lactation on the Development or Prevention of Allergic Diseases in Offspring

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of allergic diseases in the past decades has been caused by environmental rather than genetic factors. Recent research has focused on the relationship between the mother’s environmental exposure, especially during pregnancy, and allergic outcomes in the offspring. Intervention studies to prevent allergic diseases have also been conducted. Environmental factors, such as diet induce changes in the mother's intestinal flora, and the signals generated have a permanent effect on the fetal immune development through an epigenetic mechanism, which may be involved in disease development. This review outlines whether dietary patterns in mothers are related to allergic diseases, and it summarizes whether supplementation with micronutrients, such as omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids, vitamin D, and folic acid can prevent allergic diseases. Studies have found that a westernized diet is associated with an increase in the prevalence of allergic diseases; however, intervention studies conducted with micronutrients or probiotics do not provide clear results regarding its preventive effect. A mother’s diet during pregnancy or lactation may affect the health of the child. Well-designed intervention studies are warranted to attempt to prevent allergic diseases. Consequently, good dietary patterns based on high-quality evidence are recommended for pregnant and lactating mothers.