Algal DHA Dietary Supplementation Demonstrates Improvement in Reading Progress and Behavior in Underperforming Schoolchildren

COLUMBIA, Md., Sept. 7, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Increased dietary intake of algal DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) in school-aged children with low reading levels demonstrated significant improvements in reading performance and behavior, according to a new clinical study conducted at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Lead researchers of the study indicated that DHA supplementation appears to be an effective way to improve reading in healthy but underperforming children from mainstream schools.

"Poor reading skills as a child impact all learning and can lead to a host of problems in adulthood," said lead investigator Alex Richardson, Ph.D., senior research fellow at the University of Oxford and director of Food and Behavior (FAB) Research. "The DHA Oxford Learning and Behavior (DOLAB) trial showed that taking daily algal DHA supplements improved reading performance for the worst readers, and helped these children catch up with their peer group."

The study results were published in the peer-reviewed PLoS ONE journal on September 6 at http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0043909. The DOLAB trial, an independent study initiated at the University of Oxford, was funded by a grant from DSM Nutritional Products, and DSM's algal DHA omega-3 oil was used as the active treatment for the intervention.

The DOLAB Trial
The DOLAB Trial was a parallel group, fixed-dose, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial designed to assess whether an increased dietary intake of DHA omega-3 had benefits on reading performance, working memory and behavior in healthy school-aged children. The study population included 362 healthy children aged 7 – 9 years recruited from mainstream state schools in Oxfordshire, U.K. underperforming in literacy skills (<33^rd percentile on standardized reading test) but with other abilities within the normal range. The study population was not taking medications for ADHD.

The active treatment intervention was a fixed dose of 600 mg DHA (from algal oil), delivered in 3 x 500 mg capsules/day, each providing 200 mg DHA. The placebo treatment was 3 x 500 mg capsules/day containing corn/soybean oil placebo, matched with active treatment for taste and color. Duration of treatment was 16 weeks with delivery of capsules via schools and parents at other times.

Although no significant treatment effect was observed in the overall population of the lower 33th percentile, the study did find significant improvement in reading performance among the subgroups of children who were underperforming in literacy skills, based on the British Ability Scales (p=.04 among students in the lowest 20^th percentile of reading and p<.01 in the lowest 10^th percentile of readers). Improvement in reading in these poorer readers was 20 percent and nearly 50 percent greater, respectively, than would normally be expected, helping these children to catch up with their peer group.

In the subgroup of 224 children with initial reading in the lowest 20^th percentile, algal DHA led to an additional 0.8 months reading age gain compared with the placebo. In the subgroup of 105 children initially reading in the lowest 10^th percentile, the additional reading age gain from algal DHA treatment verses placebo was 1.9 months. In general, children's reading ages typically increase by four months over a 16-week period.

In addition to the promising results found in the subgroups, an overall effect was found versus placebo in improved parent-reported behavior (ADHD-type symptoms). Analysis showed significant effects of algal DHA over placebo on eight of the 14 scales assessing a range of ADHD-type symptoms. For example, children in the treatment group had fewer oppositional symptoms (p=0.01) and less hyperactivity (p=0.02), as reported by their parents.

Following the positive results found in the subgroup populations, a follow-on study is currently underway at the University of Oxford to explore a larger sample size of children who are underperforming (<20^th percentile) in reading performance.

U.S. children struggle with reading
The study results come at a time when many school-aged children lack sufficient reading skills. According to the most recent report card by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), students in the United States continue to struggle with reading, the most fundamental educational skill. More than a third of all fourth-grade public school students cannot read at even the most basic level and another third only reach the level of proficient.

The importance of DHA throughout life
DHA is a polyunsaturated omega-3 fatty acid found throughout the body. It is a major structural fat in the brain, accounting for up to 97 percent of the omega-3 fats in the brain. Numerous studies confirm that everyone, from infants to adults, benefits from an adequate supply of DHA. Throughout every stage of life, DHA is proven to be important for brain health.

life'sDHA™, the source of DHA used in the trial, is a vegetarian and sustainable source of DHA. It can be found in hundreds of supplements and fortified foods and beverages. Additional information about life'sDHA is available at http://www.lifesdha.com.

DSM – Bright Science. Brighter Living.™
Royal DSM is a global science-based company active in health, nutrition and materials. By connecting its unique competences in Life Sciences and Materials Sciences DSM is driving economic prosperity, environmental progress and social advances to create sustainable value for all stakeholders. DSM delivers innovative solutions that nourish, protect and improve performance in global markets such as food and dietary supplements, personal care, feed, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automotive, paints, electrical and electronics, life protection, alternative energy and bio-based materials. DSM's 22,000 employees deliver annual net sales of around €9 billion. The company is listed on NYSE Euronext. More information can be found at www.dsm.com.

For more information:
DSM Nutritional Products
Andrea Martin
tel. + 1 410-294-8865
email [email protected]

Forward-looking statements
This press release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to DSM's future (financial) performance and position. Such statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections of DSM and information currently available to the company. DSM cautions readers that such statements involve certain risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and therefore it should be understood that many factors can cause actual performance and position to differ materially from these statements. DSM has no obligation to update the statements contained in this press release, unless required by law. The English language version of the press release is leading.

SOURCE DSM Nutritional Products