EFAs May Relieve Problems in Children

EFAs May Relieve Problems in Children

OXFORD, England--Supplementation with omega-3 and omega-6 essentialfatty acids (EFAs) may reduce learning, behavior, psychological adjustment andmotor function problems associated with developmental coordination disorder(DCD), according to research published in Pediatrics (5, 115:1360-1366,2005) (http://pediatrics.aappublications.org).

Researchers studied 117 children with DCD between five and 12 years of age,randomly assigned to receive dietary supplementation with omega-3 and omega-6fatty acids or placebo. After three months of treatment, the placebo groupcrossed over to active treatment for an additional three months.

Study results reported significant improvements in the active treatment groupversus placebo group in reading, spelling and behavior. After the placebo groupcrossed-over to active treatment, improvements similar to the first group werereported, and the children still in active treatment maintained or improvedtheir progress.

Researchers concluded EFA supplementation may offer a safe, efficacioustreatment option for children with educational and behavioral problemsassociated with DCD.