Rather than a single disease, autism is a range of developmental disorders more accurately called the autism spectrum. Autism, also sometimes called classical ASD, the most serious form of the disorder, affects between 3 to 6 children out of 1,000, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Because there are no medical cures for autism, people often try alternative therapies, such as fish oil, which contains two omega-3 fatty acids, eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Do not use fish oil supplements to treat autism without discussing its use first with your doctor.
Mechanism
No one really knows what causes autism; both genetics and environment may play a part. Because brain tissue contains large amounts of DHA, it seems DHA plays a vital part in brain development and function. Researchers theorize that people with autism and other neurodevelopmental disorders may have trouble metabolizing and using essential fatty acids. Many people with autism have lower than normal levels of fatty acids, including DHA and EPA.
Use
A 2006 survey by the University of Texas at Austin found that 28.7 percent of children on the autism spectrum took fish oil supplements. Fish oil supplements are common adjuncts to autism treatment because several studies showed low levels of omega-3 fatty acids in children with autism, according to an August 2009 article published in "Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders" by the University of California. Despite its prevalence of use as a potential treatment for autism, few well-designed studies on its benefit exist.
Study Results
Several studies show apparent improvement after treatment with fish oil, including a 2008 study reported by the Department of Research on Children with Special Needs in Egypt. The study of 30 autistic children with low levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, including DHA, found that improvement in polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels after the supplement was accompanied by clinical and biochemical improvement in 20 children. An Israeli study reported by the Soroka University Medical Center published in the August 2009 issues of the "Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychopharmacology" found that after taking 1 g of omega-3 fatty acids for 12 weeks, 8 out of 9 children showed a 33 percent improvement on the Autism Treatment Evaluation Checklist. A six-week trial of fish oil in adults with autism, however, found no benefit to its use.
Risks
Fish oil supplements could theoretically contain mercury, found in many of the same fish used to supply fish oil. Buying pharmaceutical-grade supplements purified by molecular distillation should avoid contaminated products.
References
- Healing Thresholds: Essential Fatty Acids and Children with Autism
- PubMed: Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Autistic Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review; August 2009
- Food Consumer: Fish Oil May Help Autism
- PubMed: Role of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in the Management of Egyptian Children with Autism; N.A. Meguid; September 2004
- Liebert Online: Micronutrients Versus Standard Medication Management in Autism: A Naturalistic Case--Control Study; Lewis Mehl-Madrona, M.D., et al; 2010 (PDF)
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