Behaviour 'better' with fish oil

Omega 3 is found in oily fish such as mackerel

The behaviour of pupils at a school for children with special needs showed a marked improvement after taking fish oil supplements, a study suggests.

The 28 boys aged between 10 and 16 at Eaton Hall Special School in Norwich were given a healthy diet and took the fish oil every day for six months.

Between January and June, behavioural incidents fell, attendance improved and student commendations went up.

The boys at the school have social, behavioural and emotional difficulties.

It is thought to be the first such trial at a special school.

Lianne Quantrill, the project co-ordinator at the school said that children were able to control their anger better as a result of the new health programme and the omega 3 fish oil supplement.

SOURCES OF OMEGA-3 OILS herring kippers mackerel pilchards sardines salmon fresh tuna trout anchovies

"While outbursts still occurred, they were less extreme, requiring minimal physical intervention from a teacher," she said.

Head teacher Valerie Moore said: "This was a worthwhile study. For some children it made a positive difference.

"Even if it had only helped one child, it would still have been worthwhile."

The trial was not a scientific study as there was no control group to monitor other influences on behaviour at the same time.

Fish oil is rich in EPA, a fatty acid that helps the brain send messages between cells and has been shown in some research to improve memory, mood, concentration and behaviour.