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Research News
Learning difficulties and Diet
A week or so ago I read about the research findings of diet and its possible relationship to SpLD children. I thought I wpould share my thoughts on this issue with you.
I have long been aware of the importance of diet and good health. I was first made aware of this connection in the writings of Linus Pauling and his theory of a high vitamin C intake in promoting good health. There is a growing belief that children with learning difficulties can benefit from dietary changes. I was sceptical of these claims but more recently while watching a film, a drama documentary, called ‘Lorenzo’s oil’ made me realise that there might be truth in this assertion. The film made me aware of the importance of diet to facilitate cognitive development and its healthy functioning.
The question, which occurred to me, was that the intake of vitamins and minerals may be a variable factor in an individuals diet. For most of us the recommended daily intake is sufficient for our needs. It may be that some people such as SpLD pupils might need more than is commonly thought essential. Maybe the food they eat only gives them the dosage dieticians believe is necessary but they may need more than this. Fish may be a food they need to eat more of.
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It has long been a truth held by nanny that eating fish is good for the brain. I subscribe to this partly because I like eating fish cuisine. I like it better if there is a plate of chips as well!
Years ago a daily spoonful of Cod liver Oil was given to young children because it was believed that it helped to made them strong and healthy. I remember that it was not a pleasure to have this daily dose of goodness!
There is much circumstantial evidence that a balanced diet can be beneficial in staying healthy. A recent study by Kellogg’s showed that children who attended school breakfast clubs and had a decent meal before school started were found to concentration better in class. An improvement in mental ability has also been found in eating fish. People who do not normally eat fish report that after introducing fish into their diet they feel more mentally alert. The reason why this is so is not immediately known. None-the-less I have a theory.
SpLD children may need more than the daily-recommended intake of fatty acids. Not having enough of this substance may cause brain functioning to be less efficient, particularly in the area of memory. This might be one of the reasons why short-term memory is a problem for SpLD pupils.
Now it seems there is proof that eating fish is good for the SpLD student. This is the finding of research conducted by Oxford University and the Imperial College School of Medicine. SpLD children significantly improved their mental abilities after eating mackerel, salmon and tuna fish. The fatty acids found in these fish are thought to be the reason for the improvement. The findings would suggest that deficiencies in fatty acids might cause learning disorders. If this belief is correct then the problem is a metabolic rather than a neurological one.
This is only one of several studies, which have researched this issue and arrived at a similar conclusion. The Dyslexic Trust in Oxford, England, helped by Equazen Nutraceuticals, is funding further research into this belief.
They wish to study primary school children with neuro-developmental disorders; these are children with dyslexia, dysprexia, ADHA and autism. The children are to be given dietary supplements of omega 3 found in fish and omega 6 found in plants. These plant and fish extracts are to be given at regular periods over the 6-month trial period.
The study is taking place at about 13 primary schools in County Durham. The county’s senior educational psychologist, Dr. Madelaine Portland, leads the Team. A breath test will be used to identify fatty acid deficiencies. The children are not giving anything up in their diet. Researchers hope that by doing this it will be possible to discover if dietary deficiency was to blame.
Dr. Portland said in a BBC interview that if the problem was metabolic rather than neurological it was treatable with supplements. So perhaps these studies, if correct might bring about important changes to the way these children are educated.
William E. Ferguson
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Research shows fish is the food for mental alertness |
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