Cod Liver Oil and a Vitamin/Mineral tablet May Prevent Middle Ear Infections in Children

Grandma's Old Remedy was Right!

Give kids a daily teaspoon of lemon-flavored cod liver oil, which has vitamins A and D and omega-3 fatty acids, then have them chew a tasty multi-vitamin tablet with selenium, a trace metal, and it may prevent otitis media in a number of children, according to a recent study published by researchers at The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary.

About Otitis Media 

Otitis media, or middle ear infection, is common and costly, and often preceded by the upper respiratory infections that plague children in winter months.  The researchers, led by Linda A. Linday, M.D., a pediatrician and researcher at The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, showed that children with otitis media required fewer antibiotics and had fewer ear infections once they began taking cod liver oil and vitamin/mineral supplements.

Study Results Indicate Significant Findings

The study, published in the July 2002 issue of the Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology, was performed in two parts. In the first part, researchers took blood samples of the children in the study and discovered that three important chemicals were lower than in adults. Of these, the lower level of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid that helps decrease inflammation, was the big surprise.  “This was a new and important finding,” said Dr. Linday.  The researchers also confirmed previous studies that had shown low levels in children of vitamin A (known as the “anti-infective” vitamin), and selenium (a trace metal that is important in “cleaning up” highly reactive “free-radicals” which are generated as part of immune responses and inflammation). 

“We then hypothesized that these children might benefit medically if they were given these three key nutritional supplements,” said Jay N. Dolitsky, M.D., a member of the study team and a pediatric otolaryngologist at The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary.

The second part of the study involved a small, open-label study.  Of the eight children whose families agreed to participate and to give the supplements to their children, one would not take the cod liver oil.  The remaining seven children received antibiotics for middle ear infections for 12 percent fewer days while they were taking study supplements than before, and five did not experience any additional ear infections for the remainder of the winter season.

“This study provides preliminary evidence that otitis media may be prevented and that the reliance on antibiotics may be reduced among young children by using nutritional supplements,” said Dr. Linday.  “However, there is a need for larger, controlled trials to confirm our pilot study.”

If you are a reporter seeking to interview this or any other doctor at The New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, please contact Jean Thomas, at (212) 979-4274, or Axel F. Bang, at (914) 234-5433.

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