[gwern]

Most of the fish oil/IQ links I know tend to either be poor quality studies, show no effect, or show a fade-out... For example,

> Supplementation of a mother’s diet during late pregnancy and 3 months postpartum with long-chained fatty acids has also been demonstrated to improve cognitive performance in human children (Helland et al. 2003). http://www.pediatricsdigest.mobi/content/111/1/e39.full

But to follow up: Helland et al 2008 http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/122/2/e472.sho...

> CONCLUSION. This study suggests that maternal concentration of n-3 very-long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids during pregnancy might be of importance for later cognitive function, such as sequential processing, although we observed no significant effect of n-3 fatty acid intervention on global IQs. Neonatal fatty acid status had no influence on BMI at 7 years of age.

(One may not be surprised inasmuch as most efforts to boost IQ in kids like the Abecedarian project show fadeout.)

[rikelmens]

I agree in regard of fish oil quality. That's why I use algae derived DHA supplements.

[scott_s]

He meant that the studies are of poor quality, not that the studies only used poor quality fish oil.

[rikelmens]

Yeah, you are right.

And the second link I've posted is wrong, I meant to post this one: http://www.dhaomega3.org/