Written by Jessica Patella, ND. Vitamin/mineral and fatty acid supplementation for 12 weeks significantly improved EPA/DHA levels in participating school-aged children compared to placebo.
Poor nutrition has been associated with difficulty keeping attention, aggression and impaired socialization, although the relationship between diet and behavior is complex and poorly understood (1, 2). Research often isolates one nutrient to study, but a recent research study found a multi-nutrient approach can decrease anti-social behavior (3). Another recent study found supplementing with both omega-3s and multi-vitamins may improve behavior in school-aged children (1).
The recent research included 196 schoolchildren from 13-16 years of age from an underprivileged area in England. They were randomly assigned to either a treatment group (n=98) or placebo group (n=98). Those in the treatment group received one daily multi-vitamin/mineral tablet and two capsules of omega-3 fatty acids (281 mg per day EPA and DHA) (1).
During the 12-week study period, students were given supplements with a cup of water during the lunch break and were monitored for taking their pills. On weekends, they were provided with supplements and checked off their compliance via a form (1).
Behavior was recorded by the teachers in the classroom (via Connors Clinical Index Teacher Rating Scale of 24 questions) and based on the school’s negative behavior disciplinary actions for actions such as disruptive behavior, aggression, tardiness, and so on (1). Both the researchers and the school were blinded to what treatments the students were receiving (1).
After 12 weeks of supplementation, all fatty acid measures (EPA, DHA, total n-3 and n-3 index increased; n-6 and n-6:n-3 ratio decreased) improved significantly in the students supplementing with vitamins and omega-3 compared to the placebo group (P<0.0005). Blood concentrations of folate, vitamin C and vitamin D also increased significantly (P<0.001) in those supplementing with multi-vitamins/mineral and omega-3 compared to the placebo group (1).
Regarding the teachers’ observation of behavior, there was a significant difference between the groups (P=0.02), with the treatment group behavior improving slightly and the placebo group behavior worsening significantly (P=0.005) (1).
In analyzing the school discipline records, there was a 25% increase in offense rates in the placebo group and a 34% increase in offense rates in the treatment group (1). However, the difference between the groups was not significant (1). Researchers felt this could be because the discipline reports were not standardized and misbehavior could be reported by any adult at the school resulting in possible data collection inconsistency (1).
In conclusion, teenagers from disadvantaged backgrounds improved low blood levels of DHA, EPA and other macronutrients through multi-vitamin/mineral supplementation and omega-3 fatty acid supplements. These supplements may also reduce their disruptive behavior in the classroom, although they did not seem to improve rates in disciplinary offences (1). In conclusion, further research is needed with more participants to clarify the behavior and nutrition relationship.
Source: Tammam, Jonathan D., et al. “A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial investigating the behavioural effects of vitamin, mineral and n-3 fatty acid supplementation in typically developing adolescent schoolchildren.” British Journal of Nutrition 115.02 (2016): 361-373.
© The Authors 2015
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a holistic approach to health. She earned her ND from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in Tempe, AZ, and is a member of the North Carolina Association of Naturopathic Physicians. Visit her website at www.awarenesswellness.com.
References:
- Tammam JD, et al. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial investigating the behavioural effects of vitamin, mineral and n-3 fatty acid supplementation in typically developing adolescent schoolchildren. 2016 BJN 115; 361-373.
- Galler JR. Behavioral effects of childhood malnutrition. Am J Psychiatry 2005; 162, 1760-1761.
- Rucklidge JJ & Kaplan BJ. Broad-spectrum micronutrient formulas for the treatment of psychiatric symptoms: a systemic review. Expert Rev Neurother 2013; 13, 49-73.
