Vitamin D, fish oil, and GLA have a positive effect on atopic eczema

Atopic eczema primarily affects children and is also known as childhood eczema or asthma eczema. A deficiency of vitamin D during pregnancy alone increases the risk that the child will develop the condition. According to a Swiss study published in Nutrients, supplementation with vitamin D, fish oil, and the fatty acid GLA can alleviate various symptoms of atopic eczema in children.

In the past, atopic eczema was relatively rare. Today, however, it is one of the most common skin conditions, affecting millions of people and children in particular.
Atopic eczema is characterized by a weakened skin barrier, dysbiosis in the skin microbiota, and an immune system that responds with inappropriate inflammation. As a result, the skin becomes dry, red, and very itchy. Symptoms often worsen in winter due to cold, dry air. Vitamin D deficiency is also more prevalent during these months because sunlight is limited and the sun’s angle is too low to enable vitamin D synthesis in the skin.
Genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and allergic reactions play major roles in the development of the disease. There is also considerable evidence that diet and deficiencies in certain nutrients contribute to its dramatic increase.

High-dosed vitamin D supplementation for pregnant women reduces the risk of atopic eczema in the child

The risk of a child developing atopic eczema begins already during fetal life if the mother is vitamin D-deficient. This is because vitamin D is essential for the child’s development, including the immune system and its ability to manage inflammation.
Although health authorities recommend that pregnant women take 10 micrograms of vitamin D per day, many forget to do so. Furthermore, this amount does not guarantee optimal levels of vitamin D levels in the blood. An earlier study published in the British Journal of Dermatology revealed that pregnant women taking 25 micrograms of vitamin D daily had a reduced risk of their child developing atopic eczema during the first year of life. As shown, this dose is more than double the official recommendation for pregnant women.

Combination of vitamin D, fish oil, and GLA alleviates atopic eczema

There has also been focus on omega-3 fatty acid supplementation from fish oil, which makes it easier for people to reach the recommended fish intake. Fish oil contains the biologically active omega-3 forms, EPA and DHA, which reduce local inflammation and symptoms such as dry, itchy skin in various ways.
Modern diets often contain too little omega-3 from fatty fish and far too much omega-6 from seed oils, dressings, margarine, French fries, and other industrially processed foods. This imbalance between omega-3 and omega-6 contributes to chronic inflammation.
The Swiss study examined the effects of fish oil combined with vitamin D and the specific omega-6 fatty acid GLA.
The study included 52 children with atopic eczema and ran over two years, excluding the summer months when symptoms typically improve.
The children were divided into two equal groups: one group received a daily supplement of vitamin D (5 micrograms), fish oils (2 grams), and GLA (10 mg), while the other group received matching placebo. The severity of the children’s atopic eczema was assessed using a specific scale (SCORAD), and changes in their use of anti-inflammatory steroid cream were also monitored. Additionally, changes in skin itching, sleep quality, and quality of life were evaluated. After just four months, children receiving vitamin D, fish oil, and had achieved:

• A significant reduction in the SCORAD index, indicating milder severity
• Significantly less skin itching
• Significantly lower use of steroid cream
• Significantly improved sleep quality
• Significantly better quality of life

The researchers concluded that fish oil, when combined with vitamin D and GLA, can relieve symptoms in children with atopic eczema. This is a natural treatment with no side effects.
As goes for vitamin D, health authorities recommend that children up to four years receive 10 micrograms daily all year round. Children over four years are advised to supplement during the winter months only. However, many children do not get enough sun exposure during the summer period, and sunlight is the most important source of vitamin D. Some children also require higher doses of the nutrient to optimize vitamin D levels in their blood. According to EFSA, the safe upper intake limit for vitamin D in children up to 11 years is 25 micrograms.

References:

Sarah El-Heis et al. Maternal antenatal vitamin D supplementation and offspring risk of atopic eczema in the first 4 years of life: evidence from a randomized controlled trial. British Journal of Dermatology. 2022

Tena Niseto et al. Effect of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation on Clinical Outcome of Atopic Dermatitis in Children. Nutrients 2024