Study on children who took fish oil and they experieced increased brain development

I found the study below on LEF's website. I found it rather interesting. It is known that fish oil, particularly DHA, helps the brain. But, when someone was asking some questions about the supplement they used in this study, I was intrigued by what I found. I don't see that great of a significance in this study anymore.

The supplement used in this study was called VegEPA. It is a fairly new supplement which contains EPA and Evening Primrose Oil (EPO). EPO increases inflammation, so this supplement is particularly not good for those with DS. EPA is an essential fatty acid and it is very needed, DHA is also needed. VegEPA is not a "supplement of choice", if you are looking for a good omega-3 fatty acid supplement. Here's is some more information:

LEF has some good information on DHA and the brain:
www.lef.org/magazine/mag2006/jul2006_report_dha_01.htm
www.lef.org/magazine/mag2006/may2006_cover_brain_01.html

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In looking at VegEPA's website. They say the following:

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"VegEPA is a patented omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid supplement specifically formulated to combine the vast health benefits of ultra-pure EPA from marine fish oil (the omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid) with cold-pressed non-raffinated organic virgin evening primrose oil (containing the omega-6 gamma linolenic acid or GLA). Intended as Igennus' clinical-grade supplement, VegEPA is now being successfully used by medical professionals in the treatment of various conditions. Unlike other supplements, VegEPA contains absolutely no DHA. To find out more about DHA, please click here"
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On their "Why no DHA?" page (http://tinyurl.com/347g9h). they write the
following:

"A tremendous body of research justifies the use of high concentrations of EPA, and not DHA, in supplement form. While it is the case that DHA is important structurally in the brain, a consensus has emerged in the scientific and medical community that it is EPA which is the more beneficial of the omega-3 fatty acids for optimal neurological function.
More and more supplement companies are acknowledging this body of evidence and are gradually increasing the ratio of EPA to DHA to the extent that some forward-thinking companies, like ourselves, remove the DHA completely through molecular distillation. This oxygen-free process extracts the EPA, which is left 'ultra-pure' and is most bio-available to the body. The primary reason why VegEPA only contains ultra-pure EPA and absolutely no DHA is due to the fact that clinical trials show that as the ratio of EPA to DHA increases in a supplement, so does its effectiveness. In addition, some leading experts believe that DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) may inhibit the beneficial actions of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). "
"He explains: "In general it has been found that as the ratio of EPA to DHA rises in the supplement used in clinical trials of certain conditions, such as depression and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the ability of the supplement to improve the condition also rises."
For these reasons the EPA to DHA ratio in VegEPA capsules is the highest possible - VegEPA contains no DHA at all. Each VegEPA capsule contains around 280 mg of ultra-pure EPA.
Igennus is not negating the use of DHA in all circumstances; its importance for the developing foetus, for example, cannot be over-emphasised. DHA also has properties which make it beneficial for cardiovascular and joint health.
What should be recognised, however, is that these fatty acids have very distinct roles for health, particularly the role of EPA in brain function and mood disorders - for which DHA has little or no benefit. Studies have shown that for these conditions EPA alone is far more effective than in combination with DHA,which can inhibit the beneficial actions of EPA.
With the necessary co-factors the body can convert EPA into DHA as and when it needs it, preventing the unnecessary build-up which results from taking DHA in supplement form, thus avoiding any concerns about its high rate of oxidation. "
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I find this rather interesting and hard to believe. DHA is
*the* fatty acid which is in the brain. All fish oils are good for cognition and neurological processes, but DHA is basically the one that is "just for the brain." I emailed VegEPA, Dr. Leichtman and Life Extension. I have yet to hear from VegEPA and I would not be surprised if they do not respond.
Both Dr. Leichtman and LEF said that they (VegEPA) are not correct and are just trying to sell their product. I most definently agree with that. I've read so many things on the benefits of DHA, particularly for neurological function. I have no idea what this "tremendous body of research" is that they refer to that supposedly justifies no DHA.

Plus, their product is pro NOT anti-inflammatory (it has EPO in it, which promotes inflammation).

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The study:

These Children Were Fed a Simple Diet Supplement. Within Three Months, Their Mental Powers Had Advanced by Three Years

The Scotsman 03-13-07
THE brains of children given dietary supplements for just three months underwent three years' worth of development, researchers reported yesterday. Tests involving four children aged eight to 13 showed that taking two doses of fish oils each day improved their reading, concentration, memory and problem-solving skills. Hi-tech scans also showed that taking the supplements - containing omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids and a pure form of Evening Primrose oil which provides the essential fatty acid EPA - actually led to changes in their brains. Scientists yesterday said they were amazed by the findings. The youngsters who took part in the pilot study - Zach, George, Rachael and Gareth, who were all classed as overweight - were given the supplements, called VegEPA, and encouraged to cut down on fatty snacks and fizzy drinks and be more active. After three months, the children showed an improvement in reading age of well over a year, their handwriting became neater and they paid more attention in class. They also faced a battery of tests, including a scan to look for biochemical changes in the brain, which revealed rises in a key indicator of brain development, N-Acetylaspartate (NAA). Professor Basant Puri, lead researcher from Imperial College London, said: "The results were astonishing. In three months you might expect to see a small NAA increase. But we saw as much growth as you would normally see in three years. "It was as if these were the brains of children three years older. It means you have more connections and greater density of nerve cells, in the same way that a tree grows more branches." The parents of 13-year-old Gareth said they were astounded by the changes they saw in him. Prof Puri said: "Gareth's parents told me how he had suddenly found TV boring, as he wanted to read. Three months earlier he was saying he couldn't understand people who loved books." Although the children were asked to change their diet, there was no evidence this happened to any great extent. Prof Puri said he believed the improvements seen in concentration and behaviour were solely due to the supplement. Fife-based nutritionist Carina Norris said she strongly believed that diet does affect behaviour. "This study is yet more back-up to all the evidence that is coming out that fish oils can have a beneficial effect on children's brains and behaviour. "I am all for children taking a good quality fish oil supplement, not only for brain development but also for their cardiovascular health." However she cautioned: "More research needs to be done. A lot of the studies were on a very small scale, and weren't proper clinical trials."

-- More information:
I'm looking at VegEPA's website. They say the following:-----"VegEPA is a patented omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acid supplement specifically formulated to combine the vast health benefits of ultra-pure EPA from marine fish oil (the omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid) with cold-pressed non-raffinated organic virgin evening primrose oil (containing the omega-6 gamma linolenic acid or GLA). Intended as Igennus' clinical-grade supplement, VegEPA is now being successfully used by medical professionals in the treatment of various conditions. Unlike other supplements, VegEPA contains absolutely no DHA. To find out more about DHA, please click here"----On their "Why no DHA?" page (http://tinyurl.com/347g9h). they write thefollowing:"A tremendous body of research justifies the use of high concentrations of EPA, and not DHA, in supplement form. While it is the case that DHA is important structurally in the brain, a consensus has emerged in the scientific and medical community that it is EPA which is the more beneficial of the omega-3 fatty acids for optimal neurological function.More and more supplement companies are acknowledging this body of evidence and are gradually increasing the ratio of EPA to DHA to the extent that some forward-thinking companies, like ourselves, remove the DHA completely through molecular distillation. This oxygen-free process extracts the EPA, which is left 'ultra-pure' and is most bio-available to the body. The primary reason why VegEPA only contains ultra-pure EPA and absolutely no DHA is due to the fact that clinical trials show that as the ratio of EPA to DHA increases in a supplement, so does its effectiveness. In addition, some leading experts believe that DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) may inhibit the beneficial actions of EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). ""He explains: "In general it has been found that as the ratio of EPA to DHA rises in the supplement used in clinical trials of certain conditions, such as depression and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the ability of the supplement to improve the condition also rises."For these reasons the EPA to DHA ratio in VegEPA capsules is the highest possible - VegEPA contains no DHA at all. Each VegEPA capsule contains around 280 mg of ultra-pure EPA. Igennus is not negating the use of DHA in all circumstances; its importance for the developing foetus, for example, cannot be over-emphasised. DHA also has properties which make it beneficial for cardiovascular and joint health.What should be recognised, however, is that these fatty acids have very distinct roles for health, particularly the role of EPA in brain function and mood disorders - for which DHA has little or no benefit. Studies have shown that for these conditions EPA alone is far more effective than in combination with DHA,which can inhibit the beneficial actions of EPA. With the necessary co-factors the body can convert EPA into DHA as and when it needs it, preventing the unnecessary build-up which results from taking DHA in supplement form, thus avoiding any concerns about its high rate of oxidation. "