Can you please outline the recent clinical trial that investigated the effects of supplementation on the behavior of UK adolescent school children?
We wanted to see whether supplementing the diet of disadvantaged adolescents with the omega 3 polyunsaturated acids, EPA & DHA, vitamins and minerals over a school term might improve their antisocial behavior, which usually gets worse during a term.
We recruited almost 200 pupils from a school in Barking, one of the most disadvantaged areas in the UK. Randomly selected, 100 were given the active supplements (Wellteen, Vitabiotics Ltd) and 100 were given placebo capsules which looked and tasted just the same.
We took baseline measurements of these nutrients in their blood and compared those with their levels at the end of the trial. We tracked their behavior using standardized measurements of social interaction and the school’s discipline records.
What were the main findings of the study?
We found in those receiving the active supplements that their nutrient levels improved over the term to healthier levels, but in the case of EPA and DHA they started so low that they did not rise to ideal levels over that time, so longer supplementation might have led to further improvements.
The students taking the active supplements showed an improvement in their social interactions, whereas pupils taking placebo exhibited worsening behavior as had been expected over the term. This suggests that our supplements had a protective effect against their behavior worsening.
When looking at school behavioral records, we found that the greatest reduction in antisocial behavior with the help of the supplements occurred in the schoolchildren whose behavior was worst to begin with.
However, this sub group was rather small since, despite their disadvantage, few children in the school we studied were particularly badly behaved.
How was behavior change measured?
We used two measures of behavior change –
- Conners Teacher Assessment Scale. This is a validated, standardized, and widely used scale for teachers to rate pupils on various behavioral traits providing several categories; the category of greatest interest to us was ‘Disruptive Behavior’.
- School disciplinary records. These school records of bad behavior, rudeness, disruption, fighting etc., provided an ecologically valid assessment of changes in antisocial behavior.
Were you surprised by the results of the trial?
We were expecting to see an effect of supplementation as a large amount of evidence about young offenders in prisons shows that these nutrient supplements can significantly improve their behavior.
What mechanism do you think could account for the changes in behavior observed?
We think that the improved blood levels of EPA, DHA, vitamins and minerals that occurred indicate that levels of these nutrients in the brain would similarly have increased, and this would have affected many aspects of brain function, including transmission speed, connectivity and memory, enabling improved social interaction.
What further research is needed to understand the connection between nutrient deficiencies and behavior?
Our trial was unique in that it recruited almost 200 young adolescents between the ages of 13-16. However, the work would benefit from being repeated with much larger numbers using many more schools, in order to replicate the positive findings.
What impact do you think research in this field will have on public health policy?
The poor diet of many adolescents is very worrying and probably contributes to the rising tide of mental problems lasting into adulthood.
We need a two pronged approach; we need both to discourage consumption of junk food and encourage choice of healthy foods.
Our findings add to the evidence that improvements in diet can greatly benefit the health and lives of individuals and Society and this should strongly influence public health policy.
Where can readers find more information?
Our paper can be found at http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=10071075&fileId=S0007114515004390
About Prof. Stein and Dr Tammam
John Stein is Emeritus Professor of Neuroscience, Dept. Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics and Fellow of Magdalen College, Oxford. After preclinical studies at New College, Oxford, John trained as a clinical neurologist at St Thomas’s Hospital, London SE1, Leicester and Oxford. From 1970 – 2008 he was Fellow and Tutor in Medicine and Physiological Sciences at Magdalen College, Oxford.
In theory ‘retired’ he still teaches neuroscience to medical and psychology students and his research still focuses on the role of vision and nutrition in the control of movement and behavior in neurological patients, dyslexics and young offenders. John doesn’t cook fish; his brother TV fish chef, Rick Stein, doesn’t do neuroscience!
Dr Jonathan Tammam is Principal Lecturer in Nutrition and Dietetics at the University of Hertfordshire and formerly Research Scientist at the University of Oxford. His main research interests include the impact of nutrition in general and omega 3 in particular on cognitive health and behavior in school children, young adults, and youth prisoners.
He is a Registered Nutritionist and a Registered Dietitian and endeavors to engage the public, health professionals, and policy makers on the importance of diet for brain health.
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