The brain benefits of the right fatty acids

Diets that include a specific type of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid play a role in positive brain health, studies show.

A recent trial published online in PLOS-ONE Journal found that supplementation with 600 milligrams of DHA (sourced from algae) a day for 16 weeks, improved reading and behavior in healthy school-aged children with low reading scores. The Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Oxford Learning and Behaviour (DOLAB) trial is the first large, randomized and placebo-controlled study demonstrating the benefits of this nutrient in reading and behavior among healthy school children.

“Maintaining overall health – and especially brain health – through good nutrition is critical, particularly at a young age when the brain is constantly developing,” says Dr. David Perlmutter, a board-certified neurologist and author of Raise a Smarter Child by Kindergarten. “The DOLAB trial demonstrates that reading performance can be dramatically improved using a DHA supplement.”

Lifetime benefits

DHA is a polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid found throughout the body and it is a major structural fat in the brain. Numerous studies confirm that everyone, from infants to adults, benefits from an adequate supply of this nutrient.

The vegetarian and sustainable source of DHA used in the trial can be found in hundreds of supplements and fortified foods and beverages. Additional information is available online at www.lifesdha.ca.

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