Fish Oils Supplements Could Cool Violent Children

Fish oil supplements could help cool and control the anger of children with behavioural problems, says a new study. Researchers studied behavioural problems and emotional difficulties, including autism of 28 boys (10 to 16 years old) studying at Eaton Hall Special School in Norwich and found that they had fewer violent outbursts while taking daily doses of the fatty acids.

In the six months prior to the trial, students had 112 angry outbursts which required teachers to physically restrain them. This dropped to 36 during the six-month study, when they were given 'Eye q' supplements alongside healthier school meals.

The capsules, made by Equazen, contain omega-3 fish oils and omega-6 evening primrose oil.

The biggest impact was on pupils who had been involved in the most violent incidents. One youngster had to be restrained 10 times prior to the trial but recorded no incidents while taking the capsules, the researchers claimed.

The study suggests students become better able to control their anger, as teachers were less likely to have to intervene to calm them.

Lianne Quantrill, project co-coordinator at Eaton Hall, said: "These statistics suggest that as a result of the new health programme and supplements the children were able to control their anger better. So while outbursts still occurred, they were less extreme, requiring minimal physical intervention from a teacher."

Madeleine Portwood, an educational psychologist involved in a study in Durham, had earlier found the supplements significantly improved short-term memory among primary pupils and enhanced achievements in reading and spelling.

Fish oil depression trials unclear

Though some research has suggested that fish oil may fight depression, the evidence from clinical trials is too mixed to draw any conclusions, according to a new research review.

In an analysis of 12 recent clinical trials, British researchers found little evidence that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) improved participants' depression.

In general, they report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the studies were small, short-term and had substantial differences in their methodology that make it hard to draw firm conclusions.

One problem is that the trials included a wide range of patients, according to Dr Katherine M. Appleton and her colleagues at the University of Bristol. Some studies examined adults with major depression, while others focused on bipolar disorder. Some assessed depression in people with other disorders, such as chronic fatigue syndrome or obsessive-compulsive disorder.

In addition, the treatment type and doses varied widely. In some studies, participants took omega-3 supplements along with their standard therapy, while other studies used only the supplements. One study looked at the effects of eating fish.

"Trial evidence that examines the effects of omega-3 PUFAs on depressed mood is limited and is difficult to summarise and evaluate because of considerable heterogeneity," Appleton and her colleagues write.

What evidence there is, they conclude, offers "little support" for using fish oil to fight depression.

In theory, omega-3 fats could affect depression symptoms through their action in the brain. Several studies have suggested the fatty acids aid in the function of certain chemical messengers in the brain that are linked to depression.

In addition, some population studies have found that people who regularly eat fish have a relatively lower risk of depression.

However, the promise from studies like these is not always duplicated in clinical trials, where researchers rigorously test a treatment against a placebo, or inactive treatment.

According to Appleton's team, larger, well-conducted clinical trials of fish oil for depression are still needed.

Eating fish can help protect eyesight in elderly

Two new studies give one more reason to eat a diet rich in fish: prevention of age-related macular degeneration, the leading cause of blindness in old age.

The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish such as salmon are already known to help the heart and brain stay healthy. The new studies, appearing Monday in the Archives of Ophthalmology, add to evidence that fish eaters also protect the eyes.

The new studies aren’t the strongest level of scientific evidence, but they confirm the findings of previous studies that also link fish consumption with prevention of macular degeneration.

A study of 681 elderly American men showed that those who ate fish twice a week had a 36 percent lower risk of macular degeneration. In the other study, which followed 2,335 Australian men and women over five years, people who ate fish just once a week reduced their risk by 40 percent.

The U.S. study also found that smokers nearly doubled their risk of the eye condition compared to people who never smoked.

Macular degeneration starts with blurring in the center of what the eye sees. It progresses to blindness, slowly or quickly depending on the type of disease. Six to 8 percent of people age 75 and older have an advanced form of the disease.

Fish oils help keep the heart running smoothly

Nutritionists consistently urge us to eat more fish for better health and the reasons for doing this are now becoming clearer.

Research into the fish-consuming Eskimo and Japanese populations highlighted the low prevalence of heart disease. This observation led to many studies investigating the effect of fish oil extracts on heart disease prevention. The fish oils are a concentrated source of omega-3 (or n-3) fatty acids.

Fish are unique because they tend to be higher in long chain polyunsaturated fats than most land animals. A variety of fish can be included in the diet, with some restrictions placed on crustaceans because of their high cholesterol content.

By eating the low fat fish, you will be reducing the total fat in your diet, and by eating the moderate to high fat fish you will be consuming more omega-3 fatty acids. Both modifications are beneficial.

Scientists at CSIRO using different experimental models have shown conclusively that omega-3 fatty acids protect against heart rhythm disorders. They also appear to have additional benefits for blood clotting and blood vessel function.

Fish oils are a concentrated extract and the long term effects have not been fully investigated. The minimum effective dose of fish oil is not yet determined. One to two grams of omega-3 fatty acids approximates the amount consumed daily by several populations whose diet is rich in fish.

Three to five fish meals per week should provide a useful amount of omega-3. Low fat cooking methods such as grilling, baking and barbecues are preferable to frying.

Tinned fish is a suitable alternative, especially the 'low salt' products. Tuna, sardines, herring and salmon are rich in omega-3 fatty acids.

It is better to replace some meals with fish, rather than add supplements to your total diet.