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Understanding the Brain: The Birth of a Learning Science", 2007, page 61
The Importance of Omega-3 Fatty Acids
It is thus essential to take account of these nutritional needs throughout the day and to distribute nutritional intake to take account of these needs. Beyond this, 39 vital elements are not produced by the body and therefore need to be obtained from a dietary source (OECD, 2003b).
A recent finding has confirmed the benefits of the old-fashioned bane of children’s daily diet – the spoonful of cod liver oil. This staple “potion”, like other fish oils, is particularly rich in highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA), now commonly referred to as omega-3 fatty acids. They are particularly important for hormone balance and the immune system both of which are crucial for a healthy brain. In many modern diets, fatty acids have become relatively scarce, yet they are still essential to normal brain development and function.
While it is necessary not to be swept along by faddish enthusiasm for omega-3 fatty acids before more extensive brain studies have provided evidence for such claims, a randomised controlled trial of dietary supplementation with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids versus a placebo was conducted on 117 children aged 5-12 years with Developmental Dyspraxia, also known as Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD). Results showed that while no effect of the active treatment on motor skills was apparent, significant improvements were found in reading, spelling and behaviour over 3 months of treatment in parallel groups. The conclusion reached was that fatty acid supplementation may offer a safe and efficient treatment option for educational and behavioural problems in children with DCD (Richardson and Montgomery, 2005).
Another study was undertaken in prisons in the United Kingdom to test whether adequate intakes of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids caused a reduction in antisocial behaviour, including violence. This was indeed the case and is particularly relevant for those with poor diets (Gesch et al., 2002).
Although scientific evidence shows that a diet rich in essential fatty acids and eating a good breakfast contribute to good health and improved learning, the clear, messages from this research have, to date, not been widely taken on board by policy to ensure its practical application. It is thus necessary to expand studies and apply such findings to the education domain.
Promoting healthy behaviour among students should be a fundamental mission of schools: providing young people with the knowledge and skills they need to become healthy and productive adults. This will improve their capacity to learn; reduce absenteeism; and improve physical fitness and mental alertness. School administrators, school board members, teachers, social workers and parents should be encouraged to seek information and resources on the importance of nutrition for children’s health and their academic performance.
A recent finding has confirmed the benefits of the old-fashioned bane of children’s daily diet – the spoonful of cod liver oil. This staple “potion”, like other fish oils, is particularly rich in highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFA), now commonly referred to as omega-3 fatty acids. They are particularly important for hormone balance and the immune system both of which are crucial for a healthy brain. In many modern diets, fatty acids have become relatively scarce, yet they are still essential to normal brain development and function.
While it is necessary not to be swept along by faddish enthusiasm for omega-3 fatty acids before more extensive brain studies have provided evidence for such claims, a randomised controlled trial of dietary supplementation with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids versus a placebo was conducted on 117 children aged 5-12 years with Developmental Dyspraxia, also known as Developmental Co-ordination Disorder (DCD). Results showed that while no effect of the active treatment on motor skills was apparent, significant improvements were found in reading, spelling and behaviour over 3 months of treatment in parallel groups. The conclusion reached was that fatty acid supplementation may offer a safe and efficient treatment option for educational and behavioural problems in children with DCD (Richardson and Montgomery, 2005).
Another study was undertaken in prisons in the United Kingdom to test whether adequate intakes of vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids caused a reduction in antisocial behaviour, including violence. This was indeed the case and is particularly relevant for those with poor diets (Gesch et al., 2002).
Although scientific evidence shows that a diet rich in essential fatty acids and eating a good breakfast contribute to good health and improved learning, the clear, messages from this research have, to date, not been widely taken on board by policy to ensure its practical application. It is thus necessary to expand studies and apply such findings to the education domain.
Promoting healthy behaviour among students should be a fundamental mission of schools: providing young people with the knowledge and skills they need to become healthy and productive adults. This will improve their capacity to learn; reduce absenteeism; and improve physical fitness and mental alertness. School administrators, school board members, teachers, social workers and parents should be encouraged to seek information and resources on the importance of nutrition for children’s health and their academic performance.
Understanding the Brain: The Birth of a Learning Science", 2007, page 61
