Trout Consumption for Brain Health

Recruiting at 1 trial location

Overseen By Matt Powell, PhD

Age: Any Age

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Idaho

Disqualifiers: Fish allergy, dietary restrictions

Approved in 2 Jurisdictions This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

99 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how eating different types of trout might boost brain health. Researchers aim to determine whether these omega-3-rich fish can enhance cognitive function and emotional well-being in both adults and children. Participants will either taste-test different trout strains or regularly consume trout while using nutrition education tools, such as child-centered nutrition phrases. Ideal candidates for the trial are families with children aged 4-9 who eat fish less than twice a week and have no fish allergies. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for families to contribute to understanding the potential brain health benefits of trout consumption.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research shows that eating fish, such as trout, is generally safe and can benefit brain health. Omega-3 fatty acids in fish are essential nutrients that support brain function. Studies have found that regular fish consumption can reduce the risk of memory and cognitive decline with age.

Fish is a staple in many diets worldwide, offering high-quality protein with low fat content. However, individuals should be mindful of any allergies or dietary restrictions.

Using positive messages to encourage children to eat healthily, known as child-centered nutrition phrases, can increase their intake of nutritious foods. Research indicates no safety concerns with this approach.

Overall, both eating trout and using child-centered nutrition phrases are considered safe based on current research. Always consult a healthcare provider for specific health concerns. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the potential of trout consumption paired with child-centered nutrition phrases for brain health, as it offers a fresh approach compared to typical dietary supplements or medications. Unlike standard treatments that might focus on specific nutrients or pharmaceutical interventions, this method leverages whole food consumption, specifically trout, which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids known for their brain-boosting properties. The addition of child-centered nutrition phrases aims to engage and educate children, potentially making healthy eating habits more sustainable and impactful. This combination of dietary intake and educational engagement could lead to improved cognitive outcomes in a more natural and engaging way.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for brain health?

This trial will evaluate the impact of trout consumption on brain health. Studies have shown that eating fish, such as trout, links to better brain health due to their high omega-3 fatty acid content, which helps maintain mental sharpness and reduces the risk of memory problems. Research indicates that regular fish consumption can lower the chances of mental decline, potentially supporting brain health with age. Additionally, children who eat fish may experience better social interactions and possibly improved intelligence. In this trial, participants will undergo different interventions, including consuming trout from Idaho, which is rich in beneficial omega-3s and supports mental well-being. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Annie J Roe, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Idaho

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for young children and their families, specifically aimed at those interested in the potential cognitive and mental health benefits of eating trout rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Participants should be willing to engage with nutrition education strategies, sensory evaluations of trout strains, and possibly change their eating habits.

Inclusion Criteria

My child is between 4-6 years old and speaks English.

My child is between 4-9 years old, we speak English or Spanish, have internet, and eat fish less than twice a week.

Exclusion Criteria

Allergy or dietary restriction preventing consuming fish

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Sensory Evaluation

Participants provide sensory evaluation on three strains of trout

1 week

1 visit (in-person)

Repeated Exposure

Participants receive 2 oz of trout each week for 10 weeks, with some groups receiving additional nutrition education

10 weeks

Nutrition Education

Participants receive Eat Smart Idaho's standard 6-lesson in-person series of classes and may view an online trout-specific nutrition education video series

12 weeks

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in emotion and cognition scores after the intervention

12 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Child-centered nutrition phrases

Trial Overview The study tests whether increased consumption of a specific type of trout high in omega-3s can improve brain health. It involves taste testing different trout strains, using child-centered nutrition phrases (CCNP), and repeated exposure to fish during meals both at childcare settings and home.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Objective 3: Repeated Exposure Plus Child Centered Nutrition Phrases Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Receive Eat Smart Idaho's standard 6-lesson in-person series of classes, AND receive 2 servings of trout per week for 12 weeks, to prepare at home and consume (2 oz. serving for child and 4 oz. serving for adult), AND asked to view an online trout-specific nutrition education and recipe preparation video series, "About Trout! Pond to Plate."

Group II: Objective 3: Repeated Exposure Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Receive Eat Smart Idaho's standard 6-lesson in-person series of classes AND receive 2 servings of trout per week for 12 weeks, to prepare at home and consume (2 oz. serving for child and 4 oz. serving for adult).

Group III: Objective 3: Child-Centered Nutrition Phrases Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Receive Eat Smart Idaho's standard 6-lesson in-person series of classes AND asked to view an online trout-specific nutrition education and recipe preparation video series, "About Trout! Pond to Plate."

Group IV: Objective 2: Repeated Exposure Plus Child-Centered Nutrition Phrases Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

2 oz of trout each week plus exposure to positive nutrition message about trout each week for 10 weeks

Group V: Objective 2: Repeated Exposure Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

2 oz of trout each week for 10 weeks

Group VI: Objective 1: Sensory Evaluation Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

three different strains of trout (fish-meal diet, CX line, CLX line)

Group VII: Objective 3: Eat Smart Idaho Active Control 1 Intervention

Only receive Eat Smart Idaho's standard 6-lesson in-person series of classes

Group VIII: Objective 2: Puzzle Game Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Exposure to a puzzle game each week for 10 weeks

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Idaho

Lead Sponsor

Trials

21

Recruited

2,800+

Washington State University

Collaborator

Trials

114

Recruited

58,800+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Supplementing infants with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFAs) like DHA and ARA is linked to improved language, communication skills, and executive functions such as planning and attention control, based on various studies.

Long-term benefits of LC-PUFA supplementation have been observed, with children aged 3-6 years showing better performance in tests of impulsivity and attention control, suggesting that DHA has a dose-response effect on cognitive development.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Nutrition on the Development of Higher-Order Cognition. Willatts, P.[2019]

There is a growing trend among parents to use omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) as supplements for children with developmental disorders, based on the belief that these natural products are safe.

However, the current evidence supporting the efficacy of PUFA supplementation for improving conditions like attention deficit and poor motor coordination is weak and remains uncertain.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

On fish oil and omega-3 supplementation in children: the role of such supplementation on attention and cognitive dysfunction. Gadoth, N.[2008]

DHA supplementation during pregnancy, lactation, or childhood is linked to improved neurodevelopment in children, with studies showing positive effects on cognitive and visual functions.

Supplementation with DHA and EPA is generally well tolerated and may also aid in managing childhood psychiatric disorders and enhance motor functions in children with specific conditions, although further research is needed to establish optimal dosing.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on neurodevelopment in childhood: a review of human studies. Ryan, AS., Astwood, JD., Gautier, S., et al.[2022]

A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial involving 60 low-risk pregnant women found that antenatal omega-3 supplementation (1440 mg/day of DHA) did not show immediate differences in child development compared to a placebo, but the omega-3 group demonstrated improved developmental scores over the first six months of life.

Children of mothers who took omega-3 showed less difficulty with routine behaviors compared to those whose mothers received the placebo, suggesting that omega-3 supplementation may have a positive impact on child behavior during early development.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Does antenatal supplementation with omega-3 affect child development and behavior during the first six months of life? A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Sousa, TM., Ferreira, LA., Osanan, GC., et al.[2023]

In a study involving 205 children aged 4-6 years, those who consumed farmed Atlantic salmon three times a week showed significant increases in the levels of beneficial fatty acids EPA and DHA compared to those who ate meat.

While the salmon group demonstrated modest improvements in specific cognitive tasks (symbol search and picture concepts), there were no significant differences in overall cognitive scores, suggesting that salmon intake may have a limited impact on certain aspects of cognitive performance rather than overall IQ.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The effect of Atlantic salmon consumption on the cognitive performance of preschool children - A randomized controlled trial. Demmelmair, H., Øyen, J., Pickert, T., et al.[2020]

A study involving 90 children with ADHD found that increasing levels of omega-3 fatty acids (DHA and EPA) in the blood were linked to improvements in spelling, attention, and reductions in hyperactivity and oppositional behavior.

Although the overall treatment groups did not show significant differences, the results suggest that higher erythrocyte levels of DHA and EPA may positively influence cognitive and behavioral outcomes in children with ADHD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Increased Erythrocyte Eicosapentaenoic Acid and Docosahexaenoic Acid Are Associated With Improved Attention and Behavior in Children With ADHD in a Randomized Controlled Three-Way Crossover Trial. Milte, CM., Parletta, N., Buckley, JD., et al.[2018]

In a study involving 409 children aged 3-13 years, supplementation with fish oil containing omega-3 fatty acids led to significant improvements in non-verbal cognitive development, as measured by the Draw-A-Person test, particularly among Indigenous children aged 7-12.

While the fish oil treatment showed benefits in cognitive development, there were no significant effects on reading or spelling skills, suggesting that omega-3 supplementation may specifically enhance certain cognitive functions rather than overall academic performance.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of fish oil supplementation on learning and behaviour of children from Australian Indigenous remote community schools: a randomised controlled trial. Parletta, N., Cooper, P., Gent, DN., et al.[2013]

Children who were primarily fed breast milk or DHA-fortified formula in their first 6 months had higher IQ scores at age 4 compared to those fed unfortified formula, suggesting a potential benefit of these feeding methods.

However, after adjusting for factors like maternal IQ and education, the advantage of breastfeeding was less pronounced, while DHA-fortified formula still showed a significant increase in IQ scores, indicating that maternal characteristics may play a larger role in cognitive outcomes than previously thought.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Breastfeeding, the use of docosahexaenoic acid-fortified formulas in infancy and neuropsychological function in childhood. Gale, CR., Marriott, LD., Martyn, CN., et al.[2021]

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