Pregnant? Then take fish oil to boost your child's brain power

Children born to mothers who had taken fish oil during the second half of pregnancy had improved memory. — AFP

Children born to mothers who took fish oil in their pregnancies have been shown to have faster problem-solving skills and better attention focus at age 10, according to findings from an EU funded study presented last month at the 6th World Congress of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.

This is the first study to examine the long-term effect of maternal supplementation with fish oil and/or 5-MTHF (folic acid) on resting state functioning i.e. when a person is not engaged in a cognitive or active task, in school-age children.