Higher blood levels of long-chain omega-3s, and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) in particular, are associated with better reading and working memory performance, according to a new observational study conducted at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.

Research indicated that an increased dietary intake of omega-3s may be beneficial for children aged 7 to 9 who are underperforming in school.

The paper, “Low blood long chain omega-3 fatty acids in UK children are associated with poor cognitive performance and behavior: A large cross-sectional analysis,” was recently published in the peer-reviewed Plos One journal.

Researchers set out to explore the association between blood omega-3 levels and children’s reading, working memory and behavior. The study’s population included 493 healthy children aged 7 to 9 recruited from mainstream state schools in Oxfordshire, UK, underperforming in literacy skills, but with other abilities within the normal range.

Findings at a glance:

Blood samples, taken through the first-ever finger-stick test administered to children in the UK, showed that the sample population had on average a blood fatty acid level of 1.90 percent of DHA and 0.55 percent of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) with a total of 2.46 percent combined DHA and EPA omega-3 fatty acids—this is below a minimum of 4 percent recommended by leading scientists to maintain cardiovascular health in adults, the researchers reported;

Lower DHA concentrations were associated with poorer reading ability and working memory performance;

Lower DHA was associated with higher levels of parent-rated oppositional behavior and emotional lability;

Researchers looked at the diet of each child and found that 88.2 percent of children ate fish less than twice a week and 9 percent did not eat fish at all, as reported by their parents.

Dolab intervention trial

The observational study was carried out as part of the DHA Oxford Learning and Behavior (Dolab) randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial, which found increased dietary intake of algal DHA in school-age children with low reading levels demonstrated significant improvements in reading performance and behavior. Following the positive results found in the subgroup populations, a follow-on study is currently underway at Oxford to explore a larger sample size of children who are underperforming (<20th percentile) in reading performance.

DHA is a polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid found throughout the body. It is a major structural fat in the brain, accounting for up to 97 percent of the omega-3 fats in the brain. Numerous studies confirm that everyone, from infants to adults, benefits from an adequate supply of DHA. Throughout every stage of life, DHA is proven to be important for brain health.

For children who do not eat fish at least twice a week, parents can find supplements and fortified foods and beverage made with a non-fish source of DHA. Life’sDHA, the source of DHA used in the Dolab intervention, is a vegetarian and sustainable source of DHA. It can be found in hundreds of supplements and fortified foods and beverages. Additional information about life’sDHA is available at www.lifesdha.com.