Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids Improve Reading Skills in Healthy Children

reading

Previous research has shown positive effects of essential fatty acids (omega-3/6) in children with attention and reading difficulties. New research shows that these fats could improve reading ability in mainstream schoolchildren.

Foods high in omega-3 include fish, vegetable oils, nuts, flax seeds, and leafy vegetables. Most omega-6 fatty acids in the diet are obtained from vegetable oils. The modern diet is particularly low in omega-3 fatty acids which are important for signal transmission between nerve cells and the regulation of signaling systems in the brain.

The study group included 154 schoolchildren from western Sweden who were in grade 3 (between 9 and 10 years of age). The researchers then measured their reading skills using a computer-based test, called the Logos test. It measured reading speed, ability to read nonsense words, and vocabulary.

The children were randomly assigned supplements with omega-3/omega-6 or a placebo of palm oil which they took for 3 months (3 capsules per day). The study was double-blinded so neither the researchers nor parents knew which treatment the children were taking. After 3 months all the children received the real omega-3/6 capsules for the remainder of the research study.

Researchers saw a significant improvement in reading skills after the first 3 months in children taking the omega-3/6 acid compared to the placebo. While no children diagnosed with ADD/ADHD were included in the study, those children with mild attention problems achieved greater improvements in certain tests, such as faster reading, after taking the real supplements.

Johnson M, Fransson G, Östlund S, Areskoug B, Gillberg C. Omega 3/6 fatty acids for reading in children: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in 9-year-old mainstream schoolchildren in Sweden. J Child Psychol Psychiatry. 2017;58(1):83-93.

Article source: https://askthescientists.com/omega-3-omega-6-fatty-acids-improve-reading-skills-healthy-children/?id=13550953&source=copiedlink

Comments

All About Hormones: How they Function to Keep You Healthy

If your circulatory system is a superhighway, your hormones are some of the most important traffic traveling those critical thoroughfares. Likening hormones to cars shows these complex molecules as simply vehicles. And that’s exactly what they are. Hormones are constantly driving through your internal highways to transport messages and signals between your body systems and organs. For example, when you’ve eaten a meal, the hormone insulin enters the highway from the pancreas. Then it races through the bloodstream to collect glucose and deliver it to your cells for energy. Let’s broaden this driving metaphor. If hormones are various vehicles, then the glands that produce them are like car manufacturers. These manufacturers are all a part of the larger controlling body—your endocrine system. The endocrine system employs vehicle (or hormone) manufacturers throughout the body: the pancreas, thyroid, adrenal, ovaries, and testes to name a few. Let’s take a closer look at the major hor...

5 Great DIY Remedies for Sagging Skin

Sagging skin isn’t just a symptom of aging. Consider this: You’ve recently finished a fitness challenge. You’ve invested in products and have seen fantastic results. But lo and behold, your success is squandered because of unsightly loose skin. Whatever the reasons may be , nobody likes sagging skin. Luckily, you don’t just have to grin and bear it. Here are five effective and simple DIY remedies for loose skin. 1. Egg White A natural astringent, egg whites are an excellent home remedy to unsightly sagging. Egg whites contain hydro-lipids that help lift and tighten loose skin. Whisk two egg whites until frothy and apply to the desired area. Wait until the first layer is dry and then add an additional layer. Leave the egg white on the skin for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse. Repeat this method twice a week to see the best results. Another method is to mix the whites with a tablespoon of yogurt and leave on the face for 20-30 minutes before rinsing. 2. Lemon Lemons are packed with Vitamin C ...

25 Fun Facts About What Makes Men and Women Different

Men aren’t from Mars. Women aren’t from Venus. They’re the same species from the same planet. But the sexes certainly aren’t the exact same. The differences between men and women are real and important. They serve biological functions and can even help you better understand your health needs. These differences give each sex unique strengths that help with the most important task—survival. But let’s talk similarities before jumping into what makes men and women different. Here’s two you might not know: Genetically, men and women’s DNA is 98.5 percent identical. They even have the same hormones. But the ratios of those hormones explain some of the differences between men and women. Now it’s time to dive into 25 fun facts. Discover the important physiological, biological, and nutritional differences between men and women. Men typically have thicker skin—by about 25 percent. They also have higher densities of the protein collagen. The differences in density goes beyond skin deep...

Wellness Mama Queen

Search This Blog