Omega-3 Rich Diet Can Boost Children’s IQ, Says Meta-Analysis

courtesy of Lee Swanson

February 5, 2013

Supplementing children's diets with fish oil is one of several effective ways to raise a young child’s IQ levels, according to a new report.

The meta-analysis, published in Perspectives on Psychological Science, finds that supplementation with omega-3 rich fish oil is one of several effective methods to help boost children’s intelligence measures.
Led by John Protzko from New York University (NYU), USA, the research team found that fish oil consumption, along with enrolling children in a quality preschool and engaging them in interactive reading, are all effective at increasing IQ measures.

Protzko and his colleagues analyzed the best available studies involving samples of children from birth and kindergarten from their newly assembled ‘Database of Raising Intelligence’ and found that omega-3 
supplementation can boost IQ measures by more than 3.5 points.

"Our aim in creating this database is to learn what works and what doesn't work to raise people's intelligence," said Protzko.

"For too long, findings have been disconnected and scattered throughout a wide variety of journals. The broad consensus about what works is founded on only two or three very high-profile studies."

"The larger goal here is to understand the nature of intelligence, and if and how it can be nurtured at every stage of development," added Professor Joshua Aronson, also of NYU, senior author of the study.

"This is just a first step in a long process of understanding,” he said. “It is by no means the last word. In fact, one of the main conclusions is how little high quality research exists in the field and how much more needs to be done."

Protzko and his colleageus performed the meta-analysis of the studies contained within the database under several headers. “We first analysed the effects of several nutritional supplements given to expecting mothers, new mothers, and their children in the hopes of raising the children’s intelligence,” they explained.

“We found that supplementing either a pregnant mother or supplementing infant formula with long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids raises a young child’s IQ by more than 3.5 points.”

However the team found little or no evidence for a beneficial effect on IQ measures from other forms of nutritional supplements, including iron, thiamine, ascorbic acid, or B-complex vitamins.

“Although providing iron supplements to pregnant mothers and infants may not boost young children’s IQ, introducing them later in a child’s life might,” added the research team.

The likely mechanism behind the beneficial effects of omega-3 supplementation lies in the fact that these essential fatty acids provide the building blocks for nerve cell development that the body cannot produce on its own.

"Identifying the link between essential fatty acids and intelligence gives rise to tantalizing new questions for future research and we look forward to exploring this finding,” said Protzko.

Perspectives on Psychological Science; Published online ahead of print.

 

Orlampa Enterprises, Inc. specializes in helping individuals, groups, & companies lose sickness and find wellness through the implementation of science based wellness programs.

Orlampa Enterprises also helps health care professionals implement holistic wellness programs into their existing practices with the goal to educate both the health care providers, their staffs, and the patients. The programs, which provide the health care professional with a substantial additional income stream in this ever changing medical marketplace, allow the patient to achieve true wellness instead of receiving a traditional treatment for symptoms.

Orlampa Enterprises is an internet based product broker specializing in personalized health and wellness related services. Orlampa Enterprises is primed to continue its growth by duplicating its successful business model of educating, training, and developing entrepreneurial leaders as business partners. As an Unfranchise™ business owner, Orlampa Enterprises, proudly utilizes highly researched products including nutraMetrix® nutritional supplements. 

 Orlampa Enterprises' motto is "Eat well, exercise, and supplement intelligently."

Contact Beth at bb@orlampa.com or 727.492.8212 for more information about nutraMetrix® partnership opportunities available.