MORE evidence has emerged that health problems possibly caused by chemical imbalances could be corrected by taking food supplements.

Scientists came to their conclusion after studying patients with chronic fatigue.

Recently it was revealed that food supplements helping North-East pupils improve their school work can also cut anti-social behaviour in young adults.

Now, a study has suggested that a diet lacking in fatty acid supplements could be the key to chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME).

The breakthrough study by a team of doctors at some of London's major hospitals, using a specialised brain scanning technique, suggests that patients with CFS have metabolic abnormalities of the brain.

Dr Basant Puri, of Hammersmith Hospital, said: "This study suggests that if patients with CFS take a high EPA fatty acid supplement, then this should have a beneficial action on the chemical imbalances in the brain which we have identified."

EPA, a fatty acid found in fish oil supplements such as eye.q, influences the chemical balance in the brain and plays a role in communicating between cells.

The acid is also the raw material for prostaglandins - hormones that have a range of positive influences in the body, including sleep, mood and well-being.

In the CFS study, scientists found sufferers and non-sufferers had different levels of chemicals in the brain.

Primary schoolchildren in County Durham have been given eye.q food supplements containing EPA, vitamins and minerals as part of an experiment to see if it helps improve concentration and learning ability.

While the trial is due to report later this year, the organisers say there are clear signs that the pills have helped the youngsters in their school work.

In one case, a pupil's reading age made the equivalent of four years' progress in only 12 weeks. Other children appear brighter, more confident and find it easier to concentrate.

County Durham researchers have now extended the trial to university students with learning difficulties, such as dyslexia.

Three months ago researchers at Surrey University concluded that feeding young prisoners dietary supplements containing vitamins, minerals and fish oil appeared to have reduced their anti-social behaviour.