Nursery World - Fish oil diet linked to calmer behaviour

Children from three Sure Start centres in Durham have shown 'significant advances' in their behaviour, concentration and level of parental bonding after participating in the most recent trial of fish oil supplements. The study, published yesterday (7 December), involved 65 children who had challenging behaviour and problems with attention and concentration.

The study, published yesterday (7 December), involved 65 children who had challenging behaviour and problems with attention and concentration.

After five months of taking daily doses of 'eye q', a combined omega-3 and omega-6 supplement, only 4 per cent of children were found to have poor or very poor behaviour, compared with 47 per cent before the trial started.

The percentage of children with poor or very poor concentration levels fell from 66 per cent to 21 per cent.

Those taking eye q were also compared with a control group to assess their language development. The eye q group made a 7.1- month improvement in receptive language ability and an 8.8-month improvement in expressive language ability, which was 2 and 4.7 months better respectively than the control group.

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included