September 23, 2013 — Oxford University researchers presented some research at a London conference this month linking low omega-3 blood content with children who struggled with reading. Their research was also published in the journal PlOS One.
This study was one of the first to evaluate omega-3 fatty acid blood levels in U.K. children. Blood samples were taken from 493 schoolchildren between the ages of 7 and 9 years old. All of the children in the study were below average in reading skills. All of these children were found to have omega-3 levels below the minimum percent suggested by scientists for cardiovascular health.
Professor Paul Montgomery, co-author of the study, said this about the study:
"From a sample of nearly 500 schoolchildren, we found that levels of omega-3 fatty acids in the blood significantly predicted a child's behavior and ability to learn. Higher levels of omega-3 in the blood, and DHA in particular, were associated with better reading and memory, as well as with fewer behavior problems as rated by parents and teachers. "
In other words, the lower the child’s omega-3 fatty acids, the more likely that child was to have behavioral and learning issues.
Read the full story at Mother Nature News