Newspapers reports, based on a press release, stated that taking fish oil supplements boosted brain development (12 March 2007). Four overweight children showed improved arithmetical and construction skills, memory, concentration, and brain growth, after three months. The results can not be deemed reliable, or generalisable to other young people.
-
On 12 March 2007, six newspapers (1-6) reported that a supplement of fish oils given to four overweight children for three months boosted their brain development by three years, and the children showed improvements in concentration, reading and short-term memory.
-
The newspaper reports were based on a press release for a television programme due to be aired this week (7). The study was conducted in only four children aged between 8 and 13 years, and weighing between 8 stone and 12 stone. Each child undertook a number of challenges, including handwriting, concentration, problem-solving and memory tests, and a brain scan before and after taking the course of supplements. After taking supplements for three months, the children were said to have improved arithmetical and construction skills, memory and concentration, and their brain scans showed three years' worth of growth. Considering the research was conducted in only four overweight children, the results of the study can not be deemed to be substantial or reliable, and can not be generalised to other young people, overweight or not. In addition, the children were also encouraged to eat more healthily and exercise more, factors which are likely to have contributed to any improvements seen.
-
Overall, the newspapers reported the general content of the press release accurately. Some newspapers reported the effects of the supplement on a specific biochemical marker of brain development (1), and other potential benefits such as protection from UV rays (2) and the reversal of dementia in the elderly (2), which were not mentioned in the press release. Overall, no conclusions regarding effectiveness can be drawn from this type of research. It was not possible to fully appraise the quality of the research as full results have not yet been published.
Systematic reviews
Information staff at CRD searched for systematic reviews relevant to this topic. Systematic reviews are valuable sources of evidence as they locate, appraise and synthesize all available evidence on a particular topic.
There were no related systematic reviews identified on the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR), however there was one on the Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE) (8).
References and resources
1. Fat pupils on fish oils make a mental leap. The Times, 12 March 2007, p24.
2. Pill to make you clever. Daily Express, 12 March 2007, p3.
3. Pill that can boost young brains by three years. Daily Mail, 12 March 2007, p1-2.
4. Smarter kids diet. The Mirror, 12 March 2007, p24.
5. Children's brains boosted by diet. The Independent, 12 March 2007, p12.
6. £Kids brain booster. The Sun, 12 March 2007, p12.
7. Igennus Ltd. MIND THE FAT: a study reveals astonishing findings. (Press Release) Date accessed 12 March 2007.
8. Lewin G A, Schachter H M, Yuen D, Merchant P, Mamaladze V, Tsertsvadze A, et al. Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on child and maternal health. Evidence Report/Technology Assessment; 118.. Rockville, MD, USA: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2005. [Provisional DARE Abstract]
Consumer information
British Nutrition Foundation
The British Dietetic Association
NHS Direct - What foods can improve my mood and brainpower?
Previous Hitting the Headlines summaries on this topic
Fish oils may boost young brains. Hitting the Headlines archive, 31 May 2006.
Can food supplements boost pupils' learning? Hitting the Headlines archive, 14 May 2002.
Further information about Hitting the Headlines
Further information about Hitting the Headlines, together with selected relevant links, can be found at http://www.library.nhs.uk/hth/.
