Brain Food for Thought: Can Omega-3s Unlock Children's Literacy?

LUGANO, Switzerland – November 27, 2025 – A promising new study is adding significant weight to an idea long cherished by parents and explored by scientists: what a child eats can profoundly impact how they learn. Research backed by natural healthcare leader SFI Health and conducted by Italy's prestigious IRCCS Eugenio Medea research institute has uncovered a significant correlation between the levels of omega-3 fatty acids in a child's blood and their reading and writing abilities.

The findings, published in the peer-reviewed journal Biomedicine, offer a new layer of understanding in the complex relationship between nutrition, brain function, and academic performance. For the millions of families worldwide navigating the challenges of learning difficulties like developmental dyslexia (DD), this research provides a beacon of hope, suggesting that dietary factors could play a crucial role in supporting cognitive development and enhancing the effectiveness of traditional educational interventions.

Decoding the Brain-Diet Connection

The Italian study delved deep into the neurocognitive mechanisms that might explain the link between diet and literacy. Researchers conducted an extensive neuropsychological assessment of 74 children with a wide range of reading and writing skills, from normal to below average. The evaluation wasn't just about literacy; it encompassed a suite of cognitive functions, including auditory and visual processing, phonological awareness, attention, and executive functioning.

The results pinpointed a specific pathway. While levels of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs)—particularly the omega-3s EPA and DHA—were clearly correlated with better reading and writing, the study went further to ask how. By analyzing the data, the researchers identified that auditory-phonological processing emerged as a key mediator. This cognitive skill, which involves the ability to recognize and manipulate the sounds in spoken language, is a cornerstone of learning to read. The study suggests that EPA, in particular, exerts its influence on literacy skills largely through this auditory channel.

"We are very excited to share these findings which provide new insight into how omega-3 fatty acids influence reading and writing development through their action on specific neurocognitive processes, particularly auditory-phonological mechanisms," commented Dr. Maria Luisa Lorusso, the Child Neuropsychologist who led the study at IRCCS E. Medea. She also highlighted another critical nuance: "the importance of the balance between different PUFAs in determining the overall cognitive benefits." This points to the intricate interplay between various fatty acids, such as the ratio of omega-3s to omega-6s, in shaping brain health.

These fatty acids are not just passive nutrients. EPA and DHA are fundamental building blocks of the brain, playing essential roles in maintaining the fluidity of cell membranes, regulating inflammation, and supporting synaptic plasticity—the very process by which our brains form connections and learn. Previous research had already noted that individuals with dyslexia tend to have lower blood levels of these crucial fats, and this new study provides a more detailed map of how that deficiency might manifest as a cognitive challenge.

The Broader Scientific Landscape

The findings from the SFI Health-supported study do not exist in a vacuum. They contribute to a large and growing body of scientific work exploring the impact of omega-3s on cognition. For decades, DHA has been recognized as a critical nutrient for brain development, so much so that regulatory bodies like the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have approved health claims linking its intake to "normal brain development" in infants and children.

However, the scientific consensus has been more varied when it comes to supplementation improving cognitive performance in the general population of typically developing children. Some meta-analyses show modest benefits, while others find no significant effect. The picture becomes clearer, and the evidence stronger, when the focus shifts to children with specific neurodevelopmental or learning challenges.

Multiple systematic reviews and studies, such as the well-known Oxford-Durham study, have suggested that omega-3 supplementation can improve reading, spelling, and concentration in children with conditions like dyslexia, ADHD, and developmental coordination disorder. The common thread often appears to be that supplementation is most effective in children who have a pre-existing deficiency or lower baseline levels of these essential fats. This aligns perfectly with the observation that modern Western diets are often high in omega-6 fatty acids but critically low in omega-3s, creating an imbalance that may hinder optimal cognitive function.

From Lab to Lunchbox: A Science-First Strategy

For SFI Health, the company that supported the research, these findings are more than just an interesting scientific discovery; they are a validation of a core business strategy. In a wellness market saturated with bold claims and dubious products, the company has staked its reputation on a "science-first" approach, aiming to provide natural healthcare solutions backed by the same rigor as the pharmaceutical industry.

"As a company that views research as a fundamental pillar of its mission to offer science-based natural healthcare products, we are extremely proud of this achievement," said Matthew Brabazon, General Manager at SFI Health EMEA. This investment in investigator-initiated trials allows the company to contribute to foundational science while also strengthening the evidence base for its product lines, which include cognitive health supplements like Equazen, a formula specifically designed with a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to support learning in children.

This strategy serves to build trust with consumers, educators, and healthcare professionals who are increasingly demanding credible evidence for the natural products they use and recommend. By funding and publicizing rigorous research, SFI Health not only enhances its market position but also contributes to a broader movement toward transparency and scientific validation within the natural health industry.

Navigating Health Claims and Future Pathways

While the study's results are compelling, both the researchers and the company are careful to frame them with appropriate scientific caution. This is a preliminary, correlational study, meaning it shows a strong association but does not prove that increasing omega-3 intake causes an improvement in reading skills. The next crucial step, which is already part of an ongoing project, is to conduct intervention trials where children are given omega-3 supplements to see if their literacy skills improve as a direct result.

This cautious approach is also a reflection of a strict regulatory environment. Health authorities like EFSA make a clear distinction between a nutrient's role in "normal development" and claims about its ability to enhance or improve a specific cognitive function. The current study provides valuable data that could, in the future, contribute to a body of evidence supporting more specific claims, but the path to regulatory approval is long and requires a high burden of proof.

Ultimately, this research opens a new chapter in our understanding of the intricate links between diet, brain function, and learning potential. It reinforces the critical importance of nutrition during childhood and suggests that for some children struggling with literacy, a simple fatty acid could be a powerful piece of the puzzle. While more research is needed, this work lays a vital foundation for future investigations and potential interventions that could one day help unlock every child's full academic potential.