UK's 'keen' on EFAs and wants to learn how they can help even more!!!

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Experts Seek More Research On Omega-3, Childhood Behavior

10/14/2008

OXFORD, United Kingdom—Academic and nutrition experts in the Untied

Kingdom are urging researchers to further examine the link between

mood, behavior, omega-3 and children.

Experts that recently attended a Food and Behavior (FAB) conference

argued that there is a lack of extensive research on the benefits of

omega-3 on children's mood and behavior. The experts are seeking more

extensive studies on the potential benefits of omega-3's effect on

the reduction of violent or impulsive behavior and its ability to

improve disorders in children such as ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and

autism.

http://www.naturalproductsmarketplace.com/hotnews/omega-3-mood-behavior-children\

..html

Don't ignore omega-3 for mood and behaviour, say UK experts

By Lorraine Heller

08-Oct-2008 - Academic and nutrition experts in the UK are calling

for an increased focus on the benefits of omega-3 in mood and

behaviour, especially in children, as a lack of consistent research

is stunting potential in the field.

The resounding message that came out of a Food and Behaviour (FAB)

research conference held in Oxford last week was the need for more

funding for additional scientific studies.

" Omega-3s are precious nutrients that have never reached such

historically low levels in our diets. We cannot ignore the physical

health risks to children from a poor nutritional diet as they are all

too visible. What's less visible is the damage to their brains, " said

Dr , a research scientist at the University of Oxford

and founder and director of FAB.

Dr and other speakers highlighted the studies that have so

far indicated the crucial role of omega-3 in improving behaviour,

learning and mood disorders.

Potential benefits of the fatty acids include a reduction in violent

or impulsive behaviour, improvements in neurodevelopmental disorders

in children (such as ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia and autism), as well

as improvements or even prevention of adult psychiatric disorders

(such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorders and

depression).

A number of randomized controlled trials – the gold standard in the

scientific world – have demonstrated some of these benefits,

explained the speakers. However, the results cannot be compared and

confirmed through systematic reviews or meta-analyses because the

studies are too differing – conducted in different populations and

using different measures.

Ultimately, this means that regulatory authorities require more

studies before the benefits can be recognised, but funds for these

remain limited.

" Omega-3s do not work in the same way for everyone – we all agree

that we need more studies. The department of education wants to see

the results, but they don't want to contribute anything, " said Dr

.

" Stop setting the bar so high that there will never be enough

evidence for us to do something about it, " she said.

Other speakers at the event – entitled Feeding Young Minds –

included:

Professor Crawford, director of brain chemistry and human

nutrition at the London Metropolitan University, and consultant for

WHO and FAO

Dr Montgomery, director of the Centre for Evidence-Based

Intervention, University of Oxford, and director of FAB research

Professor Jack Winkler, director of the Nutrition Policy Unit at

London Metropolitan University, and director of the nutrition

consultancy Food & Health Research

Dr ph Hibbeln, lead clinical investigator at the Unit on

Nutrition in Psychiatry, NIAAA

Professor Malcolm Peet, consultant psychiatrist in the UK's NHS

(national health service), and former head of the University

Department of Psychiatry, Sheffield

Professor Stein, professor of neurophysiology at the University

of Oxford, and chair of the Dyslexia Research Trust

The meeting was opened by Lord Rea, a former GP and chair of All-

Party Food and Health Forum.

http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Don-t-ignore-omega-3-for-mood-and-behav\

iour-say-UK-experts

And Dr ph Hibbeln and Dr. andra J. were two of our speakers

at the First Apraxia Conference in 2001

http://www.cherab.org/news/scientific.html

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