新一期PLoS ONE雜志發(fā)表的英國(guó)一項(xiàng)研究顯示,，給那些閱讀測(cè)試成績(jī)較差的兒童服用名為“二十二碳六烯酸”（簡(jiǎn)稱DHA）的不飽和脂肪酸,，可改善他們的閱讀能力,，同時(shí)還有助解決他們?cè)谛袨樯系恼{(diào)皮問(wèn)題,。
英國(guó)牛津大學(xué)的研究人員報(bào)告說(shuō),，通過(guò)與牛津郡當(dāng)?shù)貛资W(xué)合作,，讓360多名年齡7歲到9歲間的兒童參與了試驗(yàn)，在16周的試驗(yàn)期間,，一部分兒童每天服用600毫克的DHA,，其他人則服用沒(méi)有任何作用的安慰劑，再將兩組兒童進(jìn)行對(duì)比,。
結(jié)果顯示,，那些在閱讀能力測(cè)試中得分較低的孩子，如果服用了DHA,，閱讀能力會(huì)出現(xiàn)明顯改善,。原來(lái)閱讀能力排名在班上倒數(shù)的兒童，試驗(yàn)期結(jié)束后,，他們的閱讀能力提高比預(yù)期提前了一個(gè)月到兩個(gè)月,。
此外，在家長(zhǎng)所做的關(guān)于兒童行為的報(bào)告中,，服用DHA的兒童在一些行為問(wèn)題上也有改善,，也就是說(shuō)變得不那么調(diào)皮了,。
參與這項(xiàng)研究的保羅·蒙哥馬利教授說(shuō)，過(guò)去曾有研究顯示,，服用DHA對(duì)那些被診斷為閱讀障礙癥和多動(dòng)癥的兒童有幫助，而這次研究的對(duì)象是普通兒童群體,，其中一些兒童雖然可能在閱讀測(cè)試中得分較低,，但并沒(méi)有相關(guān)病癥，研究結(jié)果說(shuō)明DHA對(duì)兒童的益處具廣泛性,。
DHA是常說(shuō)的Omega-3不飽和脂肪酸中的一種,，之前還有不少研究顯示這類脂肪酸有降低心血管疾病風(fēng)險(xiǎn)等身體健康方面的好處。DHA在魚(yú)類等海產(chǎn)品中的含量較高,。（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.
