Fish could help children perform better at school

CHILDREN who struggle at school could benefit from eating more fish or taking omega-3 supplements because they boost brain function.

A study of children with poor reading skills found that many were deficient in omega-3, and those with the lowest levels had the most difficulty concentrating and learning.

The fatty acids, which are found in fish and seafood, are crucial to brain structure and function, as well as keeping the immune system healthy.

Taking in a healthy amount of omega-3, either through diet or supplements, could help improve children’s performance in school, researchers from Oxford University said.

The scientists measured levels of omega-3 in blood samples from 493 school children aged seven to nine, and asked their parents to report on their usual diet.

Almost nine out of 10 children ate less than two portions of fish per week — the amount recommended by official health guidelines — and nearly one in 10 never ate fish.

On average, omega-3 accounted for just 2.45% of the children’s total blood fatty acids, while the minimum amount recommended to

The fatty acids are crucial to brain structure and function

maintain a healthy heart in adults is 4% and the recommended level is 8% to 12%.

The study, published in the PLOS ONE journal, found that levels of omega-3 DHA, the predominant form of omega-3 in the brain, predicted children’s ability to learn and pay attention. — © The Daily Telegraph, London