新一期PLoS ONE杂志发表的英国一项研究显示，给那些阅读测试成绩较差的儿童服用名为“二十二碳六烯酸”（简称DHA）的不饱和脂肪酸，可改善他们的阅读能力，同时还有助解决他们在行为上的调皮问题。
英国牛津大学的研究人员报告说，通过与牛津郡当地几十所小学合作，让360多名年龄7岁到9岁间的儿童参与了试验，在16周的试验期间，一部分儿童每天服用600毫克的DHA，其他人则服用没有任何作用的安慰剂，再将两组儿童进行对比。
结果显示，那些在阅读能力测试中得分较低的孩子，如果服用了DHA，阅读能力会出现明显改善。原来阅读能力排名在班上倒数的儿童，试验期结束后，他们的阅读能力提高比预期提前了一个月到两个月。
此外，在家长所做的关于儿童行为的报告中，服用DHA的儿童在一些行为问题上也有改善，也就是说变得不那么调皮了。
参与这项研究的保罗·蒙哥马利教授说，过去曾有研究显示，服用DHA对那些被诊断为阅读障碍症和多动症的儿童有帮助，而这次研究的对象是普通儿童群体，其中一些儿童虽然可能在阅读测试中得分较低，但并没有相关病症，研究结果说明DHA对儿童的益处具广泛性。
DHA是常说的Omega-3不饱和脂肪酸中的一种，之前还有不少研究显示这类脂肪酸有降低心血管疾病风险等身体健康方面的好处。DHA在鱼类等海产品中的含量较高。（生物谷Bioon.com）
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0043909
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Docosahexaenoic Acid for Reading, Cognition and Behavior in Children Aged 7–9 Years: A Randomized, Controlled Trial (The DOLAB Study)
Alexandra J. Richardson*, Jennifer R. Burton, Richard P. Sewell, Thees F. Spreckelsen, Paul Montgomery
Background
Omega-3 fatty acids are dietary essentials, and the current low intakes in most modern developed countries are believed to contribute to a wide variety of physical and mental health problems. Evidence from clinical trials indicates that dietary supplementation with long-chain omega-3 may improve child behavior and learning, although most previous trials have involved children with neurodevelopmental disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Here we investigated whether such benefits might extend to the general child population.
Objectives
To determine the effects of dietary supplementation with the long-chain omega-3 docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on the reading, working memory, and behavior of healthy schoolchildren.
Design
Parallel group, fixed-dose, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (RCT).
Setting
Mainstream primary schools in Oxfordshire, UK (n = 74).
Participants
Healthy children aged 7–9 years initially underperforming in reading (≤33rd centile). 1376 invited, 362 met study criteria.
Intervention
600 mg/day DHA (from algal oil), or taste/color matched corn/soybean oil placebo.
Main Outcome Measures
Age-standardized measures of reading, working memory, and parent- and teacher-rated behavior.
Results
ITT analyses showed no effect of DHA on reading in the full sample, but significant effects in the pre-planned subgroup of 224 children whose initial reading performance was ≤20th centile (the target population in our original study design). Parent-rated behavior problems (ADHD-type symptoms) were significantly reduced by active treatment, but little or no effects were seen for either teacher-rated behaviour or working memory.
Conclusions
DHA supplementation appears to offer a safe and effective way to improve reading and behavior in healthy but underperforming children from mainstream schools. Replication studies are clearly warranted, as such children are known to be at risk of low educational and occupational outcomes in later life.
