"fish oil" news and stories

The other day, Andrew posted on a BBC story about UK schools considering using Omega-3 supplements to improve students' behavior and performance. The BBC article cites a year old study, and now The Daily Mail reports on more recent findings that show fish oil to be more effective than Ritalin in treating children with ADHD. Groups of seven- to 12-year-olds were given six capsules of fish oil daily over the course of several months. By the end of a seven month period, researchers found that nearly half of the group showed better concentration and performance in school. Researchers also compared the results to studies done with Ritalin and Concerta and found fish oils to be more effective, the Daily Mail reported. The results of the study are to be published in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.

A New Zealand company has declared that the ever increasing interest in running cars on 'biodiesel' fuel has created a huge demand for supplies of waste cooking oil. The company is importing vegetable oil from the India and Africa and is researching the viability of growing plants for fuel oil in New Zealand.

For those interested in converting their cars to a more environmentally caring type the company manufactures a conversion kit that allows vehicles to run on vegetable oil. This costs NZ£4000 enabling the car to run on diesel, recycled or new vegetable oil, biodesal or a combination of the fuels. 

At the moment the company collects most of its oil from restaurants and fast food outlets and recycles for use as a fuel.

'There is outstanding potential in the renewable energy sector to augment or replace diesel fuel with vegetable oil' said the company.

Source

Scientists are exploring the possible uses of Omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily fish, in preventing the spread of prostate cancer, according to study published in the British Journal of Cancer earlier this month. A recent Reuters article cited the study's chief researcher, Dr. Mick Brown, saying that while Omega-3s seemed to stop the spread of prostate cancer in its early stages, Omega-6 fatty acids, found in vegetable oils, nuts and seeds, "increased the spread of tumor cells into bone marrow." Omega-6s are still widely thought to have many health benefits and Brown stressed that it is possible to strike a "healthy balance" of the two healthful fats. Another cancer researcher told BBC News that larger studies are required before the benefits of Omega-3s can be proven.