Special needs pupils to get fish oil supplements
Press Association
Education Guardian
Monday January 9, 2006
Fish oil supplements are to be tested on a group of special-school children with learning and behavioural difficulties.
Researchers want to know if the brain-boosting omega-3 supplements can improve such disorders.
Omega-3 is an oil rich in EPA, a fatty acid that helps the brain to send messages between cells. Studies have shown that it can improve memory, mood, concentration and behaviour. The 38 pupils taking part in the trial, which begins today, all attend Eaton Hall special school, in Norwich.
For six months they will take the supplements every day, while their behaviour is closely monitored.
The children, aged 10 to 16, have a range of problems including attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD),
autism, dyslexia,
Asperger's syndrome and
pervasive development disorder.
Some of them have already been prescribed drugs. Ritalin is used to treat ADD and ADHD but can lead to decreased appetite and insomnia.
There is some evidence that omega-3 can reduce these side effects when taken together with ritalin. That relationship will also be examined.
Lianne Quantrill, project coordinator at the school, said: "There is already mounting evidence to suggest there are benefits to taking omega-3 fish oils, particularly for those with behavioural problems who may already have fatty acid deficiencies.
"This trial will be a chance to look in detail at the effect on a particular group of children with special needs.
"The results from the trial could well go on to affect national attitudes towards the link between dietary supplements of this kind and behaviour."
The findings will be analysed by Dr Madeline Portwood, a senior educational psychologist working for Durham county council.
Staff already monitor the behaviour of pupils, building up a daily record of their progress and behaviour. By comparing previous information with that gathered during the trial, the impact of the supplements will be gauged.
Parents have granted permission for their children to take part in the trial and can withdraw them at any time.
One mother, Debbie Weymouth, said: "There is so much that I have read about the positive effects of omega-3 oils, it will be interesting to see for myself if there is an effect on my son."
Fish oil also contains vitamin D, which maintains strong bones and is thought to protect against cancer.
A study published in the Lancet medical journal last week showed that pregnant women who lacked vitamin D might give birth to children with an increased risk of osteoporosis.
Researchers who scanned 200 nine-year-old children found that the mothers of those with low bone mass were deficient in vitamin D while pregnant.
Pregnant women who took vitamin D supplements and were exposed to higher levels of sunlight had healthier children. Sunlight helps the body to manufacture its own vitamin D.
Professor Cyrus Cooper, from the University of Southampton, who leads the Medical Research Council team that conducted the study, said: "These findings provide unique evidence that a mother's vitamin D status during pregnancy has a long-lasting effect on her child's bone development."
Source: http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/...?gusrc=rss
Thanks everyone! I've got some shopping to do. I especially like the idea about pumpkin seed oil.