Background
As EPA:DHA:GLA – 9:3:1 supplementation may have benefits in children with inattention and reading difficulties, it is worthwhile investigating whether benefits could extend to unselected “mainstream” schoolchildren also.
Objective
The aim of this study was to assess whether EPA:DHA:GLA – 9:3:1 supplementation can lead to improved reading ability in mainstream schoolchildren. A secondary objective was to assess whether EPA:DHA:GLA – 9:3:1 supplementation could improve attention, memory, learning, language/communication, problem solving, and social ability.
Study design
This Swedish trial randomised 154 schoolchildren aged 9–10 years to either EPA:DHA:GLA – 9:3:1 supplement (providing 558 mg EPA, 174 mg DHA, 60 mg GLA/day) or placebo for 3 months. After this time, both groups were switched to, or continued on, the omega 3-omega 6 supplement for a further 3 months.
The primary outcome measure was performance on the computerised Logos test designed to evaluate reading ability. Although they had no diagnosed ADHD, the children were also assessed using the Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale (ADHD-RS).
Results
Supplementation with EPA:DHA:GLA – 9:3:1 for 3 months was associated with statistically significant improvements in phonologic decoding time, in visual analysis time, and for boys in phonologic decoding time compared with placebo.
Logos score changes from baseline to 3 months (all children)
Children with ADHD-RS scores above the median showed treatment benefits in visual analysis time, reading speed per word, and phonologic decoding time per word.
Logos score changes from baseline to 3 months (children with ADHD-RS above median)
Conclusions
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Compared with placebo, 3 months of EPA:DHA:GLA – 9:3:1 supplementation improved reading ability – specifically, the clinically-relevant 'phonologic decoding time' and 'visual analysis time' – in the general population of schoolchildren.
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However, children with attention problems showed more pronounced benefits from supplementation with Omega-3 and Omega-6.
References
- Johnson M et al. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2017; 58(1): 83-93. doi: 10.1111/jcpp.12614. Epub 2016 Aug 22
