Study reveals health benefits

University biology and chemistry students conducted research that revealed the true benefits of omega-three fatty acids and Focus Factor supplements, including cognitive and physical improvement in seven facets of overall health.

Photo illustration by Kamren Thompson

Biochemistry professor Dr. Shaun Black said the study measured memory, ability to focus, body pain and stamina in three groups of three participants over the course of four weeks.

Each group spent the first two weeks continuing their normal dietary habits, followed by two weeks with an experimental or controlled variable.

Black assigned a different variable to each group, so the participants took either an omega-three fatty acids supplement, Focus Factor supplement or nothing at all.

In terms of general improvement, Focus Factor proved to be the most beneficial.

After two weeks on the supplement, the students who took it reported improvements in every category they examined.

“Focus Factor includes omega fatty acids,” Black said. “But it also has vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phospholipids to support brain function.”

Jacob Oliver, a junior biology and chemistry double major, participated in the Focus Factor group, and said his focus suffered after the conclusion of the study.

“I haven’t taken Focus Factor in a week, and I and feel like I just blanked on an exam,” Oliver said.

Black said while omega-three fatty acids did not show the drastic results of Focus Factor, he believes its benefits would be greater if the study lasted longer.

“My guess is that if you guys would have been on omega-threes for twice the amount of time, we would have seen a lot of these numbers improve,” he said.

Omega-three fatty acids come naturally from certain seafood, including salmon and tuna.

However, Black said it is not realistic to believe the average American can get all of the acids they need from a normal diet.

“No matter the best effort a college student can give, they’re still going to be omega-three deficient,” he said. “Which means the only hope is to supplement.”

He said both fish-oil and flaxseed supplements provide a rich source of omega-three fatty acids.

Students who take more than three grams of omega-three fatty acids from capsules should do so only under a physician’s care, according to the American Heart Association.

The study also showed improvements in the control group.

This means three participants felt better through the second half of the study, despite not taking a supplement.

Black believes that is due to the time period in which the study was conducted, as the experimental portion began just days before spring break.
“As you would expect, most of the things should have more or less stayed the same.”