Children who have ADHD deal with attention, learning and behavioral problems. Parents sometimes use medication to help ameliorate their children's symptoms, but other options are available. Some doctors are looking into fish oil, which contains the essential fatty acid omega-3, as an alternative treatment. Clinical trials have shown promise in this type of treatment.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that are needed for brain development. Omega-3 fatty acids cannot be manufactured by the body, so they must be ingested. Omega-3 can be found in fish, with the most omega-3-rich fish being salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines and tuna. Three major types of omega-3 are found in food: alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). In the body, ALA is converted to EPA and DHA, which are the most used forms of omega-3 by humans.
Low Levels
The hypothesis around using omega fish oil to treat ADHD is that children with ADHD may have lower levels of omega-3 in their system. According to a clinical study by Arnold et al in the Journal of Child Adolescent Psychopharmocology, children who had low levels of omega-3 fatty acids had more learning and behavioral problems, two cornerstone symptoms of ADHD. A study by Richardson and Puri done on animals further supports this theory: animals that had lower levels of omega-3 also had lower concentrations of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, which are involved in learning and behavior.
Studies with Omega-3
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, clinical studies have been done on giving omega fish oil to children with ADHD. One study by Burgess et al in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that children who were receiving omega fish oil and undergoing therapy had significant improvement in their reading, spelling and behavior. Another study by Itomura and Sawasaki in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry showed that physical aggression in ADHD children was lowered after using omega fish oil.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center, Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- Arnold LE, Kleykamp D, Votolato N, Gibson RA, Horrocks L. "Potential link between dietary intake of fatty acid and behavior: pilot exploration of serum lipids in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder", J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol. 1994
- Richardson AJ, Puri BK, "The potential role of fatty acids in attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder" Prostaglandins Leukot Essent Fatty Acids. 2000
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