Learning Difficulties and Diet
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’ I realised 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 is a variable factor in an individual's diet. For most of us the recommended daily intake is sufficient for our needs. It may be that some people such as LD 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.
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.
LD 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 LD pupils.
Now it seems there is proof that eating fish is good for the LD student. This is the finding of research conducted by Oxford University and the Imperial College School of Medicine. LD 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.
They wish to study primary school children with neuro-developmental disorders; these are children with dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADHD 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
April 2002
Diet and ADD or ADHD
I love a glass of orange juice, but I am not sure whether it has an allergic effect on children with ADD or ADHD. A seven-year old boy, David, started coming to me about six months ago. He had not yet started to read, but his main problem seems to be paying attention. He wanted to learn to read, but had great difficulty staying still and keeping his attention on what we were doing. He tapped on the table, looked out of the window at the slightest sound, and generally fidgeted most of the time.
After a couple of weeks I spoke to David and his mother Liz about this. She said that she had tried to stop him drinking Cola and soda drinks, chocolate, crisps and food with additives, but found it hard because he was always asking for them. I explained to Liz that he might be suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder - ADD or ADHD. This condition cannot yet be cured, but diet makes quite a difference in many children who suffer from it. Liz agreed that she had been a bit defeatist about this, and promised to be strict about what she bought at the supermarket in future. I also suggested finding some treats that didn't contain sugar, colorings or additives so that David had something positive to look forward to with his new diet. He thought he would like fruit salad and home-made soup especially (but not together!).
Looking forward to seeing a calmer David the next week, I was genuinely surprised to find him equally fidgety and inattentive. "You're buzzing, aren't you!" I said, and he agreed. Whatever could it be, and how was he going to learn to read in this state? When Liz came to collect him, I said how surprised I was at his lack of improvement. Liz agreed and seemed rather irritated that my dietary suggestions had made no improvement. "Tell me exactly what you've eaten and drunk today," I said to David. "Nothing but pure food and drink", said Liz. "Before your lesson with Dot, you had a glass of pure orange juice." "Orange juice?" "Yes - no coloring, no additives, just pure juice."
And then I remembered reading how orange juice can trigger migraines in people who are susceptible to them. Anyway, to cut a long story short, Liz substituted apple juice for orange juice, and David has never looked back. At his lesson the following week he was a different person - calm and relaxed. Six months later, he can read and write and no longer needs the extra lessons from me. Nice to have a success story!
Dot's Diary
February 2002
Latest
research
A report in the UK Independent newspaper (May 14th 2002)
gives further evidence that fish oil may be beneficial for children with dyslexia,
dyspraxia, hyperactivity or autism. Researchers in Co. Durham UK, led by Dr Madeleine
Portwood, gave pills containing fish oil, Evening Primrose oil and Vitamin A to
120 pupils at 13 primary schools. Half of the children were given a placebo (a
neutral pill containing no sigificant chemicals).
Analysis at the halfway stage of the research shows 'remarkable advances' among children taking the supplements, while those on the placebo have not shown any improvements. Dr Portwood said:"The most significant change in the last 20 years has been the diet of children, and that is why we are exploring the use of food supplements." Andrew Westerman, headteacher at one of the schools in the study said: "Some children have become more outgoing and lively as new connections are being made in their brain. It is like lights being switched on."
