LORD WINSTON of Hammersmith first achieved fame as a gynaecologist with a special interest in the Fallopian tubes and fertility — but his renown has spread beyond the medical profession. He is now regarded as a polymath, with enthusiasms for subjects as diverse as politics, anthropology, archaeology and comparative religion. He has voted for four different parties over the years, but now sits as a Labour peer. In medicine, his interests range from his own subject of obstetrics and gynaecology, to neurophysiology and infant development. His TV series and books have made him a household name.

Lord Winston started his medical career at the London Hospital. While he was a bright, young houseman at the hospital, I was working in the VD clinic. Robert Winston lived in the lodgings above the clinic. One night he gave a bibulous, and unofficial, party in his room that overlooked the glass roof of the VD laboratory. Just as the party was in full swing, and spirits were high, Winston heard authoritative footsteps in the corridor. His guests fled over the laboratory glass roof. A second-row forward, who had enjoyed Lord Winston’s hospitality, miscalculated the strength of the glass and disappeared through it on to the microscopes and specimens on the bench below. He was rescued, but despite official displeasure, Winston’s rise continued unabated.

Lord Winston’s latest enthusiasm stems from his interest in child development. He has been studying the influence of omega-3, the essential fatty acid found in fish oil, nuts — including walnuts — pumpkin seeds, soya, flax and rapeseed. There is an increasing mass of research-based evidence that the traditional nanny’s cry that fish is good for children’s brains is based on fact as well as anecdote.

Recently, researchers have shown that omega-3 may also provide a helpful boost to the flagging intellect of people old enough to be parents and grandparents.

Lord Winston considers that further research is needed before it is possible to be as definite about the benefits of omega-3 for older age groups as for children.

On the other hand, he is persuaded by the data on the usefulness of essential fatty acids and fish oil in the prevention of cardiovascular disease — and this could account for its beneficial effect on an ageing brain. Keeping the blood supply flowing to the brain is a possible way of dealing with the loss of cognitive ability.

The role of the omega-6 fatty acids — mainly derived from vegetable sources, and of omega-3 fatty acids principally obtained from fish oil — in neurophysiology is a complex one. As well as improving the blood supply to the brain, the acids affect the structure of the neural-cell membranes, and help to regulate brain functions such as cell-signalling and neural blood flow.

They also reduce the liability of the blood in the brain to clot and thereby reduce the incidence of strokes. For the two essential fatty acids to interact to best advantage, the proportion of omega-6 to omega-3 should be about five to one.

Most families who need to increase their intake of fish oil are not always in a position to be able to eat all the mackerel, herring, salmon and tuna needed. Many find it difficult to have the two recommended fish meals a week. How to take fish oil without suffering nausea and a troublesome after-taste is a longstanding problem. A fish-oil ice-cream has been tried, but even flavouring the mixture with vanilla or orange didn’t increase its treat rating.

Recently, St Ivel has begun to market fresh milk enriched with omega-3. It may well prove a useful addition to the diet of small children — and their mothers before the child is born — and to grown-ups. The scientific evidence that it improves the learning, concentration and co-ordination of normal children, and even those who are overactive and tend to be disruptive, is overwhelming.

Lord Winston, scientists and doctors working with the use of omega-3 in children — as well as the nannies and countless mothers and fathers who have been advocating fish oil for years — are delighted by the way that the evidence of its benefits is accumulating. It is not only their children who may prosper; their grandparents have hopes that it may contribute to keeping Alzheimer’s at bay.

www.timesonline.co.uk/health
E-mail Dr Thomas Stuttaford your questions on pregnancy and nutrition