Fat may reduce allergic reactions

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Fatty foods may play a role in reducing allergic symptoms, a study by Edinburgh scientists has shown.

Edinburgh University experts believe dietary saturated fat may weaken the responses of the body to allergens.

However, while a high fat diet may lessen the severity of allergic reactions it may also compromise the body's immune system.

Published in the journal Clinical and Experimental Allergy, the study looked at a high fat diet on non-obese mice.

Those on a high fat diet had reduced allergic symptoms, with a marked decrease in certain cells responsible for the allergic response - eosinophils - in the lungs.

Dr Annick de Vries, a leader of the study, said: "If people eat a high fat diet prior to becoming obese it may well be that they have fewer allergy symptoms, but this could also be indicative of an immune system that is not working properly and more research is needed.

"The research looked at the impact of fat in the diet as opposed to the effects of obesity.

"We certainly would not advocate eating a high fat diet because of its link to obesity implications and numerous health implications such as increased risk of heart disease and diabetes."

The study was carried out in collaboration with the University of Newcastle in Australia.