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Pupils' daily dose of fish oil boosts exam performance
Last updated at 20:22pm on 12.09.07Children given a daily dose of fish oils at school perform better in exams, according to evidence published yesterday.
In the latest trial to suggest omega-3 supplements can lead to better grades, pupils aged 11 saw their marks in maths, English and science improve dramatically after taking the free capsules.
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Almost every child at Toft Hill Primary School has taken part in a year-long study of the brain-boosting oils
The results showed the number of children achieving the national average in this year's Standard Assessment Tests had increased beyond expectation.
During the year-long trial 26 pupils sitting their SATs at Toft Hill Primary School in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, received a daily dose of the fish oil supplements.
In English, 68 per cent of them were expected to achieve the national average.
But after taking part in the trial 92 per cent met the required standard.
In maths, teach-ers expected 78 per cent of pupils would make the grade.
In fact 92 per cent attained the national average.
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Headteacher Richard Whitfield from Toft Hill Primary School with the
The school also noticed a significant improvement in the concentration and behaviour of those pupils taking part.
The latest results follow an exclusive Daily Mail study last year which showed impressive improvements in children at a school in Hertfordshire who were given Eye Q fish oil capsules by manufacturer Equazen.
The seven and eight-year-olds began with an average reading age of nine months above their actual age.
After three months on the fish oil supplement they were reading at 18 months above their age.
In Bishop Auckland, the experiment began in January last year and saw a total of 59 children aged nine to 11 sign up to be given the supplements every morning.
It was so successful that by September last year more than 100 youngsters, two thirds of its pupils, had joined the scheme. Headmaster Richard Whitfield said: "The results have been outstanding with pupil concentration increasing significantly and the 2007 SATs results exceeding expectations.
"Unlike any other similar study we are looking at the benefits to every one of our pupils, not just those with special educational needs.
"The whole atmosphere in the school has become more positive and focused; we are not just referring to the remarkable attainment academically, as we have seen vast improvements in children's physical and social skills.
"I just hope this study will be of great interest to other head teachers looking to improve their school results and the well-being of their pupils."
The success of this and other trials led to Durham County Council inviting 5,000 teenagers to take free daily capsules containing a brainboosting blend of pure fish oil and evening primrose oil to improve their GCSE grades.
Last year a review by the Food Standards Agency said there was not enough evidence to show that giving children a daily dose of fish oil helps them get better grades at school.
Reader views (4)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
If people out there think they're too expensive, and can't tighten their belts elsewhere (as I have done). Then perhaps they're not so in need of this product.
I say - time to get your priorities in order, when it comes to your own health and development.
- Simon Caleb, Clapham, London
Or maybe parents could give their children fish instead of McDonalds...
- Alice, London
Yes it's great news for those who can afford it but fish oil supplements are really expensive so how can poorer families afford them? Maybe schools should be including oily fish in school dinners to ensure everyone gets their Omega 3's.
- Sue, London
Fascinating news!
Forget those stupidly expensive medical double blind trials, this proves without questionable doubt that supplementing your balanced diet with Omega 3 fish oil does indeed result in cognitive improvements.
I myself (age 39) have been taking a 5ml liquid form of Eskimo 3 Omega 3 fish oil for several months with breakfast, and within two weeks found my concentration levels going through the roof. I feel calmer, awake first thing with a more positive outlook (very important with the approaching darker Winter daylight) and appear to suffer hardly any depressive thoughts and feelings.
A good friend has also found her ability to retain information and concentration improve greatly.
- Simon Caleb, Clapham, London
