The world is a competitive place. In a global marketplace undergoing rapid technological change, children need every advantage possible. As parents, we try to enhance their learning opportunities, choosing to live in communities with the best schools and committing hours to extracurricular activities—sports, music, dance, etc. However, new evidence emphasizes the value of nutrition.
 
Long-chain omega 3 fatty acids are considered essential fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA,20:5 n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6 n-3), because of our limited capacity to synthesize (desaturate and elongate) from α-linolenic acid (ALA 18:3 n-3). DHA is a major structural fat in the brain, accounting for 97% of the omega 3 fatty acids in the brain. When children are not eating fatty fish regularly, it is important to consume fortified foods or use dietary supplements to obtain adequate amounts of DHA + EPA.
 
Previously, it was shown that school-aged children (7-9 years) from mainstream schools in the U.K. with poor reading ability benefited when supplemented with DHA. Reading ability was significantly improved in children in the lower (20th and 10th) reading groups. The benefits were greatest in children with the lowest initial reading scores.
 
A new study published in PLoS ONE reports that higher levels of long-chain omega 3 fatty acids, especially DHA, are associated with better reading and working memory performance. Cross-sectional analysis in the same 493 healthy children finds significant associations between blood omega 3 levels and children’s reading, working memory and behavior. Low blood DHA concentrations are associated with poorer reading ability and working performance in children with an average combined DHA and EPA content of 2.46%. Dietary record examinations found that 88% of children ate fish less than twice a week; 9% did not eat fish at all. US children are typically consuming about 30 mg DHA daily. This is 5% of that provided in the DOLAB study. Although DHA and EPA do not have nutrient status with established RDAs or AIs, there is general agreement that school-aged children should be consuming ≈250 mg DHA + EPA daily.
 
These findings may give the food and supplement industry new vigor in adding DHA + EPA to their products. Two years ago, the European Union approved 3 article 14 health claims with respect to the role of DHA in childhood brain and eye development. As the science linking childhood brain development with DHA + EPA expands, so will consumer education and parental interest in DHA + EPA fortified food products and/or dietary supplements for their children.

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The ideas and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect views held by Nutraceuticals World.