Nutrition and IQ

Did you know that poor nutrition costs your children IQ score points and good nutrition boosts their IQ.

In a study published in the Journal of Applied Nutrition in 1983 (1), Schauss and a team from MIT looked at the IQ score and the amount of refined carbohydrates (which are very low in nutrients) in the diet of their subjects. They found that the higher the consumption of sugar, white bread, commercial cereals etc.-the lower the IQ. Those with the highest levels of high refined-carbohydrate consumption had an IQ score 25 points LOWER than those with the lowest

In 1960, Kabula and his colleagues took 351 students, and tested them for the vitamin C level in their blood (2). The 351 were then divided into two groups- high and low vitamin C level. The two groups were then tested for their IQ score. The fascinating result was that the 'high' vitamin C group had an average IQ of 113; the 'low' group's average was 109- a 4 point difference.

In California, researchers conducted a study with 615 schoolchildren (4). The children were assigned to one of four groups. One group was placed on a placebo, the other 3 groups on a nutritional supplement program that represented 50%, 100% and 200% of the US RDA's. After three months the children's IQ's were tested. In the group taking the placebo, there was no difference. In the other 3
groups, the average increase in IQ was OVER 4 POINTS!

These studies indicate that low nutrient status has a strong corelation with a lower IQ score. Can nutritional supplements help? The answer seems to be a resounding Yes!

What are the lessons we can learn from this research?

1. Limit your child's consumption of highly refined carbohydrates- that means, soda pop ('soft drinks'), cakes, cookies, confectionery etc.

2. Introduce as much fruit and vegetable into their diet as possible.

3. Use wholemeal and multi-grain breads to replace white bread.

4. Give them a good multivitamin/multimineral supplement (see below)

Follow these guidelines, and the research shows that your child will enjoy a higher IQ. It's an advantage during their school days that will give them a vital headstart in this increasingly competitive world.