Do Omega-3 Studies Offer Hope To ADHD Children?

Here is good news for those who have loved ones suffering from ADHD. Fish oil (Omega-3) studies have indicated that there is now a natural alternative that may just provide ADHD patients with the ultimate in nutritional health.

Studies into both ADHD and fish oil have found what appears to be a link that connects the two together. There is promising new research that offers the hope that taking a fish oil capsule everyday might just help people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – both children and adults.

ADHD is the inability of a child or adult to concentrate on a certain situation or task for a prolonged period of time. Symptoms of ADHD include impulsive, disruptive behavior along with hyperactivity. About 7% of children in the US, mostly boys, are believed to be inflicted with some form of ADHD, although some folks of the older generation say it is simply that kids will be kids.

Today, the best-known medication for ADHD sufferers is the drug called Ritalin. It is thought to be effective in alleviating ADHD symptoms. However, it has been found that this drug, like most drugs, has the potential for side effects and possible health risks in some individuals, especially in younger children who take drugs on a regular basis. Thus, any possible natural health food that might help ADHD would be well appreciated by these patients and their loved ones.

The Link Between Omega-3 And ADHD

Studies conducted on ADHD sufferers have found that many ADHD patients have a few things in common – one of which is their extremely low levels of two omega 3 fatty acids, namely DHA and EPA. These two fatty acids have long been known to be important components in the fats found in the brain.

ADHD And Fish Oil studies Find A Link

Many studies on fish oil for ADHD treatment have been performed in the past decade, and all these are adding to the mounting information that indicates fish oils may indeed be beneficial to people with ADHD. Omega 3 health foods are not a replacement for any medication, of course, but they are good nutritional “brain food” and your doctor will tell you that a complete diet is always good for your health.

Fish oil capsules are a concentrated source of essential omega-3 fatty acids

One study conducted at the Inflammation Research Foundation on nine subjects with ADHD found that at the end of eight weeks of fish oil supplementation, the EPA and DHA levels in the children had increased significantly, along with a decrease in symptoms of ADHD. These are unique individual results and not typical or guaranteed, but what could it hurt to try this health food with the blessing of your doctor and see if it might help you too?

A separate study conducted at the University of Oxford in England has found that lack of these polyunsaturated fatty acids is believed to contribute to the development of ADHD and dyslexia. Clinical studies on schoolchildren found that giving them fish oil supplements rich in omega 3 fatty acids for three months showed significant improvements in their behavior, as well as their reading and spelling skills. Individual results will vary with every individual but many doctors are now telling their patients to give fish oil a try too.

Children and adults with ADHD are seeking every possible means to help them live a normal, healthy life. Fish oil supplements are one of the most natural health foods that can potentially help with ADHD. Omega 3 fatty acids can help promote healthy brain function and improve behavior in some individuals, without the scary side effects that some drugs may have.

These statements are not medical advice and have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate or prevent any disease.

© Susan Goodwin

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Additional resources:

Overcoming ADHD: A Guide for Parents – Discover how your child can end ADHD/ADD naturally, safely and without drugs. Learn how a child with ADHD got his life back from out of control to being happier and successful at school.
Calm Kids ADD Program – Increase your child’s concentration, focus and attention span and calm him down in minutes. Eliminate hyperactivity, increase attention span, eradicate defiant behavior and finally end the ADD/ADHD nightmare with the only treatment that combines cutting edge audio technology, behavior modification and diet.
ADHD Meditation – 5 independent studies say the same thing: Use meditation to overcome ADHD. But how? Most people with ADHD (especially children) have trouble sitting still, let alone meditating. Recent technological advances now offer us the key. And it’s surprisingly easy.