Parents of kids with ADHD often seek out natural methods to reduce symptoms, especially for children who experience side effects from common ADHD drugs. Omega-3 fats show promise as a potential treatment for ADHD, but the results remain mixed, and concerns about supplementing with too much of these essential fats can leave parents hesitant to try them. Fortunately, omega-3 fats are readily available through healthy food sources and could provide a potentially useful nutritional intervention for ADHD.
ADHD
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, begins during early childhood and differs from normal childhood hyperactivity, inattention or excitability. A diagnosis of ADHD can only be made when the child displays six or more symptoms of either inattention or hyperactivity and impulsiveness. These symptoms must appear before the age of 7, must persist for more than six months and must occur in two or more settings.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of polyunsaturated fat found primarily in fish, flax seed, canola oil and walnuts. The body cannot create the most basic omega-3 fat, ALA, but can convert ALA into more complex forms of omega-3 fats, such as EPA and DHA. These fats play a role in brain, heart and joint health. A January 2000 study in the "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" found that children with ADHD had lower levels of long chain omega-3 fats than children without ADHD. Also, ADHD patients with lower omega-3 levels also exhibited more symptoms, including more temper tantrums, behavioral problems and sleep difficulties.
Using Omega-3s as a Treatment
Despite the possible connection between omega-3 fatty acid levels in the body and ADHD symptoms, the use of omega-3 fats as a treatment remains controversial. Some studies have indicated that supplemental omega-3 fatty acids could help ease the symptoms of ADHD, while other studies have found no effect. Adding more omega-3 fatty acids to the diet of a child with ADHD is a safe way to increase the levels of omega-3 in the bloodstream. Supplements are also available, but dosages for children have not been established.
Considerations
Talk to a doctor before adding supplemental omega-3 fats to your child's diet. Treatment for ADHD typically involves a multidisciplinary approach that includes medication and behavioral therapy. Taking too much omega-3 fatty acids could raise the risk of bleeding. If you choose to add more fish to your child's diet in order to raise omega-3 levels, avoid fish that are high in mercury and other environmental contaminants, such as shark, tilefish, swordfish and mackerel. Children should also not consume more than 12 oz. of fish per week, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
References
- MayoClinic.com; Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Children; February 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
- "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition"; Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Children with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; J.R. Burgess, et al.; January 2000
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; December 2008
