Olympic athlete Roger Black has lent his support to a campaign to eat more fish to take in Omega 3

Omega 3 is the latest buzz phrase in talking about children and healthy eating. Research claims that it can improve a child’s brain power and tackle dyspraxia, dyslexia and ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder).

Parents, naturally, have been keen to find out more.

The upsurge of interest in Omega 3 has largely been fuelled by the results of research led by Dr Alex Richardson of Oxford University.

Dr Richardson, the UK’s leading scientist into how food affects behaviour, recently visited the county to share her exciting new research findings with the North Cumbria Dyslexia Association.

Her trial, which featured in a TV documentary, was the largest and most extensive study looking at fatty acids and learning conditions such as dyspraxia, dyslexia and ADHD.

It involved more than 100 children at 12 primary schools in the county of Durham. More than 12,000 assessments were undertaken in the course of this full double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled trial.

Dramatic results were seen within just three months. The active group supplementing with fatty acids saw significant improvements in reading (9.5 months), spelling (6.5 months) and behaviour, compared to the placebo group where no overall improvement was made.

Dr Richardson told Your Kids: “Basically, Omega 3 is relatively lacking from most modern western-type diets.

“The people most vulnerable to deficiencies are those that are genetically predisposed to need a high intake of Omega 3 – and scientists now suspect this may include people with dyslexia, dyspraxia, autistic spectrum disorders, ADHD and depression.

“All of these symptoms are on the increase in the western world – and a lack of Omega 3 in the diet is one possible reason for this, although of course there are also many others.”

The Oxford-Durham trial showed significant improvements in the spelling and reading of children taking fish oil supplements, and teachers rating the children’s behaviour also reported a significant reduction in ADHD-related symptoms.

Jennie Cross, chairperson of the North Cumbria Dyslexia Association (NCDA) supports the use of fish oils in children suffering from dyslexia.

“Parents report that regular use of MorEPA Omega 3 fatty acids has resulted in an improvement in concentration and coordination skills. This has a knock-on effect in that it removes the frustration caused by their specific difficulties and therefore improves their learning potential,” she said.

Although the controlled trials were conducted on children with learning difficulties, Dr Richardson is planning further research on how fish oils can affect children of all abilities.

“Research has already shown that fish oil supplements can help many children with dyspraxia, dyslexia or ADHD, improving their attention, concentration and behaviour.

“We think it might help a much broader spectrum – but more studies are still needed,” she said.

Dr Richardson explains that getting Omega 3 from foods is the preferred route, but that means eating plenty of fish and seafood on a regular basis, which most UK children and adults just don’t do.

“Generally people’s intake is abysmal compared to what is required. The Japanese and Mediterranean diets do particularly well for example, but I recognise it is impractical for many people to consume Omega 3 in the quantities needed, so for them, good supplements can be helpful.

Dr Richardson urges parents that Omega 3 is especially important for a vegetarian diet. “To boost the body’s own conversion of the simple Omega 3 (found in flax oil or green vegetables) to the important ones found in fish oils (EPA and DHA), eat foods containing plenty of vitamins and minerals and try not to eat too much junk food as this blocks the pathways.

“The UK Vegetarian society recommends 4g flax oil per day. But the shelf life of liquid flax oil is limited and it should be kept in the fridge after opening.”

If supplements are used, Dr Richardson feels that the type chosen is likely to be very important in achieving results.

She is extremely critical of many brands on sale in most supermarkets which may contain very little EPA and DHA, and have undesirable ingredients like artificial sweeteners or colourings.

“Quite honestly, with some of them you would need to take 10 or 20 capsules to match the doses we used in our study.

“People have no idea the difference it can make. We’ve used several different supplements in our various studies over the years – all of which we carried out independently of the companies.

“First we chose Efalex (at six to eight capsules a day), and then Eye q (at six capsules a day) but the one we’re using now (MorEPA at one large or two small capsules a day) is currently streets ahead of most of the competition, both in quality and composition.”

One parent who sings the praises of the fish oil supplements is Jan Brayton from Keswick.

She started her seven-year-old son Sam on fish oil supplements after hearing about them in the school playground. “He doesn’t like fish, he just won’t eat it and he’s not on school dinners so he doesn’t get any that way. He’s quite a vibrant character and does have a poor concentration span so I thought I would give them a try.”

Jan feels that the fish oils have had a positive impact on Sam. “He’s still a livewire but his concentration has definitely improved at school. One day he came home from school and said ‘Mam, I sat still for 12 whole minutes today’, she laughed.

She will continue to give her son the supplement, which he takes as an orange flavoured chewable capsule.

Juliette Robson from Carlisle has been giving her 16-year-old son Jack the supplement for a year. Jack has autistic tendencies and has displayed signs of aspergers syndrome.

“He developed flu last summer and that’s when I started him on them. He hasn’t had a cold since.”

Juliette says that Jack’s schoolwork has improved since he began taking the supplement, although she is sceptical about whether this was the result of the supplements as she removed wheat from his diet at the same time.

But she does attribute the absence of colds to the supplements. “It’s definitely kept him cold free, I am going to continue using it. He seems less vulnerable to bugs and I think it is good for his immune system”

Community dietician for Cumbria, Sue Booth advises parents to be cautious about giving supplements to children and says that you can’t beat a healthy balanced diet.

“Certainly don’t go for a supplement in place of fish. Have oily fish as part of a balanced diet incorporating sardines, salmon and trout.

“If parents would still like to give supplements to their children, a general multi supplement for children would probably be most suitable but I would advise them to speak to a pharmacist, health visitor, doctor, dietician or other health professional first.

“Some of these supplements are given in quite high doses and it can be detrimental.

“Although the research is very interesting, guidelines would not be altered until it has finished. The research has only taken place on a specific core of children and should not be applied to children in general. We assess every child on a one to one basis according to their diet, general health, and medical condition.”

For more information visit:

The Food and Behaviour Research website www.fabresearch.org

The Nutritional Intelligence website www.nu-intelligence.com

Dr Alex Richardson’s new book, They are What You Feed Them is published by Harper-Thorsons next Monday, £12.99.

What are Omega 3 and Omega 6 Essential Fatty Acids?

Omega 3s and Omega 6s are the ‘good fats’ that the body requires. These polyunsaturated fats cannot be manufactured by the body, they can only obtained through diet. Because of this they are often referred to as Essential Fatty Acids.

A 1:1 ratio of Omega 6 and Omega 3 is thought to provide optimum health. In today’s modern society Omega 6 Essential Fatty Acids are thought to be in ample, if not excess supply.

However it is generally accepted that our intake of Omega 3 has declined since the 19th century.

Where do we get them?

The richest source of Omega 3 is oily fish such as salmon, trout, mackerel, sardines and anchovies.

The Government recommends that children eat two portions of fish a week.

Although tuna is an oily fish when it is fresh, essential fatty acids are lost during the canning process. So, although canned tuna is a healthy choice, it doesn't count as oily fish.

Vegetarians who do not eat fish can obtain a simpler form of Omega 3 through green vegetables, and some nuts and seeds such as walnuts, brazil nuts and flax seed.

What are they needed for?

According to the UK Food Standards Agency, Omega 3 fatty acids help prevent heart disease.

They are also important for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding because they help a babies nervous system to develop.

In the last few years, research into the effect of Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids has shown that supplements can have a beneficial effect on a child’s concentration and behaviour leading to improvements in the classroom.