Fish Oil and Fatty Acid for ADD and ADHD

Omega-3 Shown to Help Improve Attention Deficit Disorders Behavior

Oct 13, 2009

New studies show that supplementing diet with fish oil, Omega-3 fatty acid, DHA and EPA will help improve behavior in children and adults with ADD and ADHD.

Omega-3 fatty acids and fish oil have gotten a lot of positive news recently for heart patients. Several new studies demonstrate that there is evidence that ADD and ADHD is helped by adding DHA and EPA regularly to the diet.

DHA and EPA in Omega-3

Omega-3 fatty acid is made up of two fatty acid compounds and comes from fish, plants or in capsules or liquid form. This fatty acid cannot be produced in the body and must come from a supplemental source.

How Fish Oil Affects Behavior and the Brain of ADHD

During the last 20 years, ADHD has been recognized as being caused by multiple aspects, primarily biological and environmental. Diet is an area in the environmental factor that has been studied in-depth. Food additives, allergies, sugar and fatty acid metabolism all affect behavior, according to a 2008 Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Guelph study.

Omega-3s help cell membranes, which are mostly made up of fatty acids, to balance the amount of nutrients that get in and remove waste products out of the cell.

The authors of the Guelph study explain there is a compelling link for fatty acids and ADHD behavior. There are four fatty acids that are important to brain function, DGLA, AA, and the two fatty acids that come from fish oil and omega-3 - EPA and DHA. These particular fatty acids make up part of the brain structure as well as help the brain to perform and function at its best.

Other studies show that Omega-3 fatty acids help the channels in the brain to open and allow electrical impulses to flow and this too impacts behavior.

Study Shows Lower Levels of DHA and EPA Omega-3 in Individuals with ADHD

The Guelph study monitored the diets of adolescents with and without ADHD . All the subjects ate identical meals and there were no differences in their intake of fatty acids; however, their blood tests revealed significantly lower amounts of DHA and total fatty acids. The subjects with lower fatty acids also scored higher on the Conner's Parent Rating Scale (CPRS), an extremely reliable tool when comparing ADHD behaviours among individuals of different gender and age. Higher scores on the CPRS correlate with more ADHD behavior.

Amount of Fish Oil, DHA and EPA to Help ADHD

The conclusion of the Guelph study suggested that adding 900 milligrams daily of EPA and 400 milligrams of DHA in supplemental form could impact biological function and improve ADHD behavior. Eating fatty fish like salmon, tuna and herring regularly will help too. Omega-3 can be found in other food sources as well, such as flax seed, walnuts and even as an additive in some products like eggs and peanut butter.

The copyright of the article Fish Oil and Fatty Acid for ADD and ADHD in ADHD/ADD Treatments is owned by Elizabeth Richards. Permission to republish Fish Oil and Fatty Acid for ADD and ADHD in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.