Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, formerly called attention deficit disorder, is a condition characterized by excess energy, restlessness, inappropriate excessive talking, and difficulty focusing and listening. It is thought that certain parts of the brain do not get enough dopamine and norepinephrine, which can lead to problems with impulse control, according to Dr. Tanya Froehlich of Cincinnati Children's Hospital. Taking omega-3 fatty acids, such as krill oil, may increase those brain chemicals.
About Krill Oil
Krill is a type of fish that is rich in essential omega-3 fatty acids. The body cannot make omega-3s. The only way to get them is through food or supplements. Omega-3 fatty acids, which accumulate in the brain, play a crucial role in cognitive function and may affect memory and behavior. Infants who do not get enough omega-3s in the placenta are at risk for developing vision and nerve problems, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Omega-3 deficiency can cause fatigue, memory problems, mood changes and depression.
Krill Oil and ADHD
Children with ADHD may have low levels of eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, DHA, both of which are found in fish oil. In 2000, researchers from the department of food and nutrition at Purdue University found that boys with lower levels of these acids had more problems with learning and behaving compared to children with normal levels. Omega-3 fatty acids in krill oil may increase levels of dopamine in the brain, Froehlich says, and improve symptoms of ADHD. It should be noted that this approach is controversial and that ADHD is commonly treated with prescription medications combined with behavioral therapy.
Treatment
Reducing or eliminating ADHD symptoms with krill oil supplements or other omega-3 fatty acids has not yet been perfected. The University of Maryland Medical Center reports that studies done on using omega-3 fatty acids for the treatment of ADHD have been poorly designed. One study that looked at using DHA along with drug and behavioral therapy found that supplementation had no effect. Froehlich suggests that people with ADHD consume more dietary omega-3s, such as krill.
How To Take It
Dosing for fish oil supplements should be based on EPA and DHA content. A common dosing amount found in many fish oil supplements is 180 mg of EPA and 120 mg of DHA. Fish oil typically contains 170 to 560 mg of EPA and 72 to 310 mg of DHA, per 5 g serving. For treating cognitive problems in adults, the Mayo Clinic suggests taking a fish oil supplement with 100 to 300 mg of either EPA or a combination of EPA and DHA. No established dosing recommendation exists for children and adding any kind of supplement to a child's diet should only be done under physician supervision. One benefit of taking krill oil supplements over other types of fish oil is that krill is less likely to be contaminated with mercury and environmental toxins such as those found in tuna and other predatory fish. In a 2007 report on the benefits of omega-3 fatty acids in children with ADHD, Parris Kidd, PhD, a nutrition expert and author, wrote that children given 250 mg of DHA and EPA from fish oil experienced a higher improvement in ADHD symptoms compared to kids on omega-3 supplements.
References
- 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; JR Burgess; 2000
- MayoClinic.com; Fish Oil Supplements: Can They Treat Depression?; July 2010
- Alternative Medicine Review; Omega-3 DHA and EPA for Cognition, Behavior, and Mood; Parris M. Kidd, PhD; 2007
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