Pill that can boost young brain by three years

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Children given capsules of omega-3 and omega-6 fats grew additional "grey matter" which helps intelligence.

Brain scans which showed the evidence of changes were re-inforced by results in tests of reading, concentration and short-term memory.

Youngsters who took part in the study increased their reading age by an average of a year and a quarter during the three-month trial.

Scientists behind the study say they were astonished by the changes in the four participating children, who were aged between eight and 13.

Scans showed their brains developed three years in as many months as nerve fibres grew additional branches.

It suggests pupils across the country are deficient in "smart fats" because the children in the study had typical youngsters' diets – laden with refined sugar and junk food.

Professor Basant Puri, who led the research, believes mass supplementation of schoolchildren is now needed.

Because they are unlikely to consume optimum quantities of omega-3 and omega-6 – which are derived from oily fish and a pure form of evening primrose oil – through eating normal diets alone, they need to be given the fats in the form of supplements.

His study adds to growing evidence that healthy fats can help improve children's learning power, concentration and behaviour – even among those with no obvious problems.

The professor even believes many adults would benefit from additional healthy fats because they help keep brain degeneration at bay.

The scientist, who is professor of imaging and psychiatry at Imperial College London and consultant in neurological disorders at Hammersmith Hospital, has taken the supplements himself for three years.

The study, funded by TV production company Endemol, will feature in a Channel Five documentary on Thursday.

The children were given the supplement VegEPA, containing a combination of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

The youngsters took two capsules a day for three months and were encouraged to cut down on fatty snacks, fizzy drinks and become more active.

After three months, remarkable improvements were seen, according to Professor Puri.

The average increase in the children's reading age was a year and a quarter while their handwriting became more accurate and neater.

In one measurement of concentration, three children scored perfect results even though they are not top of the class at school.

They also dramatically improved their short-term memory.

One boy who previously scorned books and was hooked on TV developed a love of reading and declared he was "bored" with television.

However, the most striking finding emerged from the brain scans, which all suggested they had denser nerve fibres.

Professor Puri said: "The results were astonishing. It was as if these were the brains of children three years older."

The Food Standards Agency reviewed the evidence but found the benefits were still a grey area.

However, nutritionists are challenging the finding.