Science in Action: Omega-3 (old data re-analysed)

A few months ago I did a little experiment to test my belief that omega-3 was affecting my balance. I replaced fats high in omega-3 (flaxseed oil and walnut oil) with a fat low in omega-3 (sesame oil). Here is a new analysis of the data:

walnut oil and flaxseed oil versus sesame oil

The raw data are the same. The new analysis differs from the earlier analysis in two ways: 1. How the number for each day is computed. The old analysis dropped the first 5 trials and took the mean of the rest. The new analysis fits a regression line to balance as a function of trial to estimate an effect of trial and subtract it, then takes a mean of all the trials. 2. Allowance for improvement. The new analysis, as the graph shows, fits a slope to all the data. The improvement over days is subtracted from each day’s score before the two conditions are compared.

The old analysis gave t = 4.1 (p = very tiny). The new one gives t = 6.3 (p = very very tiny). Big improvement!

Directory of my omega-3 posts.

4 thoughts on “Science in Action: Omega-3 (old data re-analysed)

  1. After a high-cholesteral/triglycerid report, about two weeks ago I began a high Omega-3 diet (vitamin and dietary supplements, snacks, etc.). I’ve begun remembering vividly my dreams, and goggled “omega-3 dreams” to see if anyone else has experienced the same and found your blog. Just thought I’d share.

  2. I have begun taking Omega 3. I never eat any fish, flax, etc. so I thought it might be time to add Omega 3 to my vitamins. After taking it, I noticed I began having bizarre dreams, better sleep and better dream recall. When I forget to take my Omega 3, I do not experience these kinds of dreams. I have just started taking it and do not know how long the effects will last.

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