A child with dyslexia, dyspraxia, ADD (attention deficit disorder) or ADHD (attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder), may improve dramatically on a spoon or two a day of long-chain fatty acids, it has been claimed.

Studies suggest that fatty acid supplementation improves reading skills, behaviour and movement skills in children with specific learning disorders. A controlled clinical trial in Northern Ireland saw 65 per cent of children with ADHD becoming "normal" in their behaviour after three months on Efalex, a lemon and lime flavoured syrup available over the counter. The results were similar for dyslexia: after six months on Efalex, children made a 27-month improvement, on average, in their reading skills. Other research suggested improved co-ordination in children with dyspraxia.

Behind the research is Dr Jacqueline Stordy, director of the nutrition, dietetics and food science degrees at the University of Surrey. She had observed that children in her family who were breastfed the longest were least affected by dyslexia. Breastmilk contains long-chain polyunsaturated fats (LCPs) that are not in baby milk formula.

The brain's neurones, or nerve cells, require LCPS to function efficiently.Two of the most important LCPs are DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and AA (arachidonic acid). Efalex contains these, as well as GLA (gamma linolenic acid) in the form of evening primrose oil.