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Friday, 29 September 2006

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Kym Ryder: Food supplement helped my kids

Essential nutrients transformed her children

Coronation Street barmaid Kym Ryder knows the benefits of healthy food – she recently revealed how a new regime of sensible eating has helped her and her husband, actor Jack Ryder, 24, get in their best shape ever.

So when Kym’s son David was suffering from poor concentration in lessons at school, she looked to his diet for a solution.

Broccoli isn't a kids' favourite

Like most mums Kym, 30, tries to get her kids to eat healthily, but broccoli and carrots aren’t always a child’s favourite dishes. ‘I dream of sitting down as a family over a nourishing home-cooked meal,' says Kym.

'All the experts tell us we should feed our children a healthy, balanced diet, but in reality, even if you have time to make a nutritious meal it’s another thing getting them to eat it.

‘I heard from a friend that fish oil could help kids’ brains to function better. She told me how there’s increasing evidence that it can help children with anything from concentration problems to dyslexia. So I thought I’d find out more and put it to the test.’

Fish oil contains essential fatty acids

In fact, studies suggest that most children would benefit from increasing their fish oils intake, as they contain the essential fatty acids omega-3 and omega-6. There’s mounting evidence that these vital nutrients have mental health benefits for adults and can improve concentration, reading, writing and general behaviour in children.

Experts believe that over the last 50 years there’s been a reduction in the amount of essential fatty acids in people’s diets. We’re eating less of the particularly important omega-3 fatty acids, found in fish such as salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel and herring, that the brain needs to stay healthy.

‘I know it’s important to have these foods in your diet, but what child do you know who likes oily fish, like sardines?’ says Kym. Instead, the solution came in the form of the popular fish oil supplement Eye Q Smooth. This combines omega-3 and omega-6 oils into a creamy fruit-flavoured blend that is completely devoid of any fishy smell or taste.

Results are positive - concentration improves

The supplement has been used in a trial with 12 primary schools in County Durham. Durham’s senior educational psychologist Dr Madeleine Portwood says the results had proved very positive.

‘Parents and teachers alike reported very positive improvements in the children’s concentration and even writing skills,’ says Dr Portwood. ‘Being able to listen for longer means learning more and in many cases any behavioural problems are decreasing.’

Emily's a lot calmer, David more confident

Both David and Emily – Kym’s kids by her ex-boyfriend Dave Cunliffe – have taken the supplement. ‘My children are like chalk and cheese, but both have really benefited from something so simple,’ says Kym.

‘My son is quite shy and a bit of a daydreamer. He has had some problems at school with his concentration. He was very capable of doing the work, but when the teacher was explaining something he didn’t always pick up on it all. At that age children don’t always ask if they didn’t hear something the first time, as they are worried about being told off, so it was affecting his learning.

‘Since David has been on the fish oil supplements we can all see a real difference – at home and at school. He’s more confident and listens a lot more. Emily is the complete opposite of David. She’s very chatty and although she’s bright as a button, she could be disruptive in class as she tended to be overactive. Now, after taking the fish oil, she’s still herself, but a bit calmer. So I’m really delighted with the results.’

I want stability for my children

The Corrie star, who shot to fame after winning ITV’s Popstars, says she’ll be concentrating on her acting career for the present. ‘The pop music industry is a weird place at the moment. It’s very unstable and I want something stable for my kids.’

So for now, Kym is looking to the future with her family: ‘Jack and I would definitely like to have a baby together. We’d like to expand the family – we’re just waiting for the right time – but we want that more than anything.’

What are essential fatty acids?

In our fat-phobic world, many people don’t realise that certain types of fat are actually vital for our health. These are the two families of essential fatty acids: omega-3 and omega-6. These life-enhancing compounds are long-chain polyunsaturated fats, as opposed to the short-chain saturated fats found in junk food, which should generally be avoided. Long-chain fatty acids are crucial for most key processes in our life and are particularly important for brain function. In fact, about 20 per cent of the dry weight of the brain and some 30 per cent of the eye retina are made from these elements.

Our bodies can’t make fatty acids and so we have to get them from our diet. Fish, seafood and eggs are the main sources of omega-3s, particularly the key ones for the eye and brain. Green vegetables, certain nuts and oils are the dietary sources for omega-6.

Our Western diet is usually deficient in fatty acids, so experts are investigating whether supplementation could be beneficial, particularly to help children combat learning and behavioural difficulties.

Further information
• For more information on the Durham trial visit: www.durhamtrial.org
• Eye Q Smooth costs £14.99 for 30 10ml sachets and is available from supermarkets and chemists. For more details, visit www.equazen.com.

Ali Agnew