Omega 3 essential fatty acids are found in flax seeds, green leafy vegetables, walnuts, and fatty fish such as salmon, tuna and sardines. Omega 3s help decrease the risk of heart disease and certain cancers and reduce inflammation. Now research reports that omega 3 supplementation can improve attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). About 5 to 10 percent of children in the U.S. are diagnosed with ADHD. Over 2 million children with ADHD are being treated with stimulant drugs, such as Ritalin. ADHD drugs have serious side effects, including heart problems, insomnia, changes in personality, cardiotoxicity and sudden death
The study, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, reviewed studies indicating that ADHD symptoms are similar to omega-3 fatty acid deficiency in humans. Studies suggest that ADHD subjects with fatty acid deficiency symptoms had significantly lower blood levels of omega 3 fatty acids than control subjects. Other studies show that children with more behavioral, learning and health problems have lower proportions of n-3 fatty acids than children with high proportions of n-3 fatty acids.
Some experts believe that a cause of low omega 3 levels may be due to impaired conversion of plant-derived omega 3 fatty acids. ADHD children may not be able to convert ALA (alpha-linolenic acid), the omega 3 fatty acid derived from plants (such as flaxseed and green leafy vegetables), to EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid). EPA is a precursor to beneficial prostaglandins, which improve heart health and reduce inflammation.
However, fish oil does not require chemical conversion of omega 3s, since it contains preformed EPA and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). The study supports the use of omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil to treat the underlying deficiency found in most children with ADHD.
REFERENCES:
1. Burgess JR et al. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Am J Clin Nutr 2006 Jan;71(1):327-330.
Posted by Elaine Gavalas on November 6, 2006 01:36 PM
