A review of ADD studies suggests omega-3s for kids unresponsive to drugs
Engredea News & Analysis
Feb. 8, 2012 12:45pm
A newly published review in the journal Pediatrics recommends omega-3 supplementation in children with Attention Deficit Disorder that have been unresponsive to drugs and other traditional therapies.
A newly published review suggests that for children with Attention Deficit Disorder, who are unresponsive to traditional therapies, or for those parents that are unwilling to administer medicine to their children with ADHD, Omega-3 supplementation warrants considerations. A thorough review of all published studies in PubMed adds to the ever-growing need for complimentary options, such as Omega-3 supplementation, for all children with ADHD.
According to this very recently published review, by Dr. Millichap of the Division of Neurology, Children's Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL, and the distinguished author of Physician's Guide to ADHD, Omega-3 supplementation has provided positive reports and warrants consideration for those children unresponsive to traditional therapies.
Published interest in polyunsaturated fatty acid and children with ADHD dates back to 1987. There are two classes of polyunsaturated fatty acids, both of which are transported to the body via diet, since human body is incapable of producing either one.
The two classes of fatty acids are Omega-3, which offers anti-inflammatory properties and is only found in cold-water fishes and green leafy vegetables and Omega-6, which is readily found in most food and offers pro-inflammatory properties.
The role of diet in inducing or promoting inflammatory (Omega-6) or anti-inflammatory (Omega-3) properties is an issue of utmost importance to children with ADHD.
According to Nutritional Physiology Research Centre, University of South Australia, Australia, children with ADHD were found to have deficiency of Omega-3 fatty acids in their red blood cells membrane and they found an association between learning and behavior with the two classes of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids of Omega-3 and Omega-6, to-wit children with higher total Omega-3 had lower anxiety and/or shyness, better word reading; whereas children with higher Omega-6 levels had poorer reading, vocabulary, spelling and attention. (1)
Moreover, according to Academic Unit of Psychiatry, The School of Medicine, University of Wales Swansea, UK, the role and the development of inflammatory responses in the brain of those with ADHD has been so far largely overlooked, even though historically, ADHD symptoms were initially observed in those with inflammatory conditions. (2)
It is needless to say that diets tilted more toward Omega-6 promote stronger and more intense inflammatory responses.
On the other hand, experimental evidence has supported the role of anti-inflammatory diets, such as Omega-3, for developmental coordination and, more specifically, when a group of 20 children received a diet averaging 500mg Omega-3 DHA fatty acids on a daily basis for 2 months, visual short-term memory and errors of commission (continuous performance) significantly improved in the DHA (Omega-3 diet) group. (3, 4)
Additionally, Yale Child Study Center, Yale University School of Medicine, believes that it might be reasonable to incorporate omega-3 fatty supplementation, to even augment traditional pharmacologic interventions. (5)
Supplementation of Omega-3 warrants consideration, when traditional therapies are ineffective and/or if the parents are unwilling to resort to medicinal therapy. However, Nutri-Med Logic Corp adds that overwhelming body of evidence supports the beneficial properties of an Omega-3 diet for all children suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder, including those with an effective medicinal therapy.
It must be noted that the studies, sources or statements above or below have not been evaluated by The FDA and, thus, one should not relate the cause of any diseases, stated herein, to lack of the dietary supplements, stated herein, nor equate their supplementation to prevention, treatment or cure.
1. J Child Health Care. 2011 Dec;15(4):299-31122.
2. Atten Defic Hyperact Disord. 2010 Dec;2(4):257-66.
3. International Review of Psychiatry. 2006 Apr; 18(2):155-72.
4. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2004 Mar; 58(3):467-73.
5. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2011 Oct;50(10):991-1000.
