Home page Healthspan
Healthspan and Omega 3 for Children logos
Home |  Omega 3 |  Brain Boosters™ |  News |  Articles |  Experts |  Parents |  Schools |  Nurses
 
 

Trial shows exam boost from diet


This article was published by the BBC. The original article is at news.bbc.co.uk.

More evidence has emerged to support a link between diet, sleep and water intake and improved exam success.

An experiment involving secondary pupils in County Durham revealed that two-thirds who supplemented their diet improved their exam performance.

The study, at a school in Newton Aycliffe, saw pupils take in natural fish oils, more fatty acids, regular drinks and have regulated sleep.

A full report on the study is expected to be seen by the government in July.

Andrew Westerman, a former County Durham head teacher and consultant to the Department for Education and Skills´ National Remodelling Team, declared the results "stunning."

Mr Westerman said: "This trial looked at how we can improve children´s behaviour and learning through the use of supplementation.

"We used a fish oil supplements called IQ to achieve that and we were stunned by the results, particularly in the areas like memory and concentration."

Mr Westerman says the study results question current psychological methods of addressing lack of concentration or learning difficulties among one-in-six UK school age children.

He added: "Everybody knows that diet, sleep and water are important, but now we actually have the evidence to prove that."

The trials were carried out at Greenfield School Community and Arts College.

Mr Westerman added: "We had children whose reading age, memory and concentration leapt in just a short period of time. It was stunning to see the changes."

"Regular carbohydrates"

"Ultimately we want to see a change in diet, but it is going to take a while for this to take effect.

There are a number of simple things parents can do to help their children perform better in testing situations.

It´s important to get enough water to drink because a lack of water is the number one trigger for daytime fatigue.

Other things are to do with energy supply to the brain. This means no sugar spikes and regular carbohydrates like bananas and avocados."

Mr Westerman said the study findings were a "breakthrough" for schools looking for improvements in classroom behaviour and concentration.

A similar study in primary age children in County Durham revealed almost identical results.

by BBC News, news.bbc.co.uk, 2005


Search news |  Printer friendly |  Email this page


 
 
 
 

Can't find an answer?

Send us an email and we shall find out for you!

 
 
 
 
Stack of books

Did you know?

You can print off the articles. Just look for the Printer friendly link at the bottom of each article.

 
 
 
 
A real human brain

Brain Fact

There are approximately 100 billion neurons in the human brain. That's 100,000,000,000!

Typically, each of these neurons will have between 1,000 and 10,000 connections to other neurons called "synapses".

 
 

Great tasting chewable omega 3 for children
is available direct from the vitamins & supplements supplier, Healthspan at £9.95 for 120 capsules with FREE P&P.

© 2005 - 2010, Healthspan Limited |  Contact |  Accessibility |  Privacy |  Links |  FAQs |  Site Map