Cognitive and mood effects of 8 weeks' supplementation with 400 mg or 1000 mg of the omega-3 essential fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in healthy children aged 10–12 years

Abstract

The results here do not suggest that supplementation with these doses of DHA for 8 weeks has any beneficial effect on brain function in cognitively intact children.

Supplementation of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), vitamin D3 and uridine in combination with six weeks of cognitive and motor training in prepubescent children: a pilot study

“…Significant changes between the two groups were observed in visual-perceptive capacity, attention and executive functions following three month of intervention [17]. In contrast, a double-blinded RCT by Kennedy et al [12] in 88 healthy children aged 10-12 years. showed no effect on a number of cognitive skills after 8 weeks intake of supplement, containing two different daily doses of DHA (400 mg, 1000 mg) compared to placebo.…”

“…showed no effect on a number of cognitive skills after 8 weeks intake of supplement, containing two different daily doses of DHA (400 mg, 1000 mg) compared to placebo. In that study no dietary recording or blood sampling was performed [12]. None of these studies accounted for changes in daily physical activity level, although exercise has been shown to have significant, positive effects on cognitive function [21].…”

“…Only few studies have investigated the effect of DHA supplementation on cognitive abilities in healthy children and the results are conflicting [11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. The NEMO study [11] included a total of 644 healthy children from Australia and Indonesia aged 6-10 years.…”

“…Some studies have examined the effect of DHA alone in randomized control trials [11][12][13][14][15][16]. Thus, the available evidence does not present a clear and coherent picture.…”

“…Thus, the available evidence does not present a clear and coherent picture. Three studies have shown a positive effect of DHA supplementation on some cognitive outcomes [15][16][17] one study has shown mixed results [14] while others report no effect [11][12][13]. In a recent meta-analysis, the effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid was evaluated on cognitive outcome and it was concluded that the supplementation may significantly improve cognitive development in infants, but does not improve cognitive performance in children, adults, or in the elderly [18].…”