From the BBCwebsite - Children's behaviour and oils - shame they didn't use flax

[Guest guest]

Oil pills boost pupil brain power

 

Some of the school children taking part in the trials

Children who were under performing in class have seen an improvement

in concentration and behaviour after taking a cocktail of natural

oils.

More than 120 children aged between six and 12 took part in trials,

funded by Durham County Council.

 

Half used a combination of omega-3 fish oil and omega-6 evening

primrose oil and half an olive oil placebo.

 

The research showed children's learning and behaviour improved

significantly when taking the natural fatty acids.

 

The children were tested at the outset and again after three months

for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms, co-

ordination and short term memory.

 

Sources of omega-3 oils

herring

kippers

mackerel

pilchards

sardines

salmon

fresh tuna

trout

anchovies

 

Results suggested that after three months, the group using the fatty

acid made " highly significant improvements " in 12 out of 13

behavioural scales, including three diagnostic ADHD features -

inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity. Short term memory also

significantly improved.

 

One head teacher said children with specific difficulties now

concentrate more, read better, and their self-esteem has rocketed.

 

Dr Madeleine Portwood, an education psychologist from Durham

Education Authority, said: " As a psychologist working in schools in

Durham I became increasingly aware of the number of children under

achieving because they are hyperactive and cannot concentrate.

 

" In the late 1990s there was lots of research available suggesting

fatty acids would make a difference. So I put it to a number of heads

and they said we'll give it a go.

 

" For six months the children were taking supplements during the

school day and we measured improvements.

 

" The most dramatic improvement was in concentration and the spin off

was children had better attainments so their reading score improved -

some children improved by as much as four years in the six months

trial. "