Pycnogenol is a pine bark extract containing compounds that a handful of studies associated with improving symptoms of attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder. Omega-3s are the well-known fatty acids found in fish oil that are credited with scores of health benefits reported in hundreds of journal articles. The most active omega-3s are EPA, or eicosapentaeoic acid, and DHA, or docosahexaenoic acid. While neither micronutrient has conclusive evidence supporting ADHD benefits, omega-3s show the most promise, although future studies on pycnogenol may even the score. Seek your doctor's advice before deciding to invest in either supplement.
Omega-3s in Children
Dozens of studies have examined the role of omega 3s as a potential ADHD treatment in children, and researchers reporting in April 2004 issue of "Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids" reviewed eight of the most rigorously controlled clinical trials. They found that trials supplementing just DHA produced no improvements in symptoms. However, some of those using combined DHA and EPA produced positive results. In one study involving 50 children who received either 560 mg omega-3s or a placebo for four months, the fish oil group improved significantly. The researchers concluded omega-3 intervention is warranted in ADHD children.
Omega-3s in Adults
Italian researchers reporting in the November 2005 issue of "European Journal of Clinical Investigation" found that omega-3 supplements produced improvements in sustained attention, a reduction in errors on attention tests and improvements in reaction time. They enrolled 26 men with mild ADHD symptoms and randomly assigned them to receive either 4 g of omega-3s or a placebo daily for 35 days. The omega-3s provided a combined dose of 1,600 mg EPA and 800 mg DHA. Researchers concluded supplementing combined EPA and DHA can improve higher brain functioning, reactivity, attention and cognitive performance in young, healthy adults.
Pycnogenol in Boys
Researchers publishing in the June 2006 issue of "European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry" enrolled 61 ADHD children into a trial testing pycnogenol's efficacy on treating their symptoms. Their average age was 9.5 years. They were randomized to receive either 1 mg pycnogenol or a placebo daily for four weeks. The pycnogenol group experienced a significant reduction in hyperactivity, and demonstrated significant improvements in attention and concentration. No positive effects were observed in the placebo group. Treatment was not significantly effective for girls; however, the fact that only six girls participated may have skewed the statistics.
Pycnogenol in Adults
The results weren't so promising in a similar study comparing pycnogenol to methylphenidate for ADHD symptoms in adults. You're probably more familiar with methylphenidate by its brand name, Ritalin. According researchers reporting in the September 2002 issue of the "Journal of Attention Disorders," Ritalin is the most prescribed ADHD medication; however, its unpleasant side effects make an alternative treatment desirable. Thirteen women and 11 men ages 23 to 54 were enrolled, and received either a placebo, pycnogenol or methylphenidate for three weeks. At the end of the trial, neither pycnogenol nor methylphenidate performed better than the placebo.
References
- "Prostaglandins, Leukotrienes and Essential Fatty Acids"; Clinical Trials of Fatty Acid Treatment in ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia and the Autistic Spectrum: Alexandra Richardson; April 2004
- "European Journal of Clinical Investigation"; Cognitive and Physiological Effects of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementation in Healthy Subjects; Gionia Fontani, et al.; November 2005
- "European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry"; Treatment of ADHD with French Maritime Pine Bark Extract, Pycnogenol; Jana Trebaticka, et al.; June 2006
- "Journal of Attention Disorders"; An Experimental Comparison of Pycnogenol and Methylphenidate in Adults with ADHD; Steven Tennebaum, et al.; September 2002
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