| A 2009 omega 3 ADHD study from Israel aimed | | | | emotional disorders or autism should be aware of |
| to provide a systematic overview of the theory | | | | the importance of adequate intake of omega-3s. |
| and use of essential fatty acids in the treatment | | | | There is no doubt that EPA and DHA |
| of children displaying the behavioral patterns | | | | (Eicosapentaenoic acid and Docosahexaenoic acid) |
| associated with attention deficit hyperactivity | | | | are essential for the normal development and |
| disorder. It seems that the researchers fell short | | | | function of the brain and central nervous system. |
| of their mark in many ways. | | | | Regardless of the findings of any omega 3 ADHD |
| Instead of conducting any new clinical trials, they | | | | study, there is also no doubt that a deficiency or |
| relied on the results of other studies that have | | | | imbalanced intake (taking in too many omega-6s |
| been conducted over the years. They were not | | | | and not enough omega-3s) of these nutrients has |
| selective about which studies were included in the | | | | a negative impact on brain function, throughout a |
| review. Usually, when researchers are looking to | | | | person's life, not just during fetal developmental |
| arrive at some sort of significant conclusion, based | | | | and infancy. |
| solely on the work of other researchers, they | | | | These are things that we know for a certainty. |
| include only trials that are randomized and placebo | | | | Why doctors would not recommend |
| controlled in their reviews. | | | | supplementation for all children, as well as their |
| The results of the review contradict the | | | | parents, is a mystery. |
| researchers' interpretation of the results. The | | | | Why researchers continue to question the |
| researchers admit that children with attention | | | | benefits is no mystery. They want to find a |
| deficit disorders have lower blood levels of | | | | "mode of action", which would make the nutritional |
| essential fatty acids and that supplementation | | | | supplement a drug, which would raise the price |
| raises the blood levels and improves symptoms. | | | | and make it available only with a prescription. |
| Yet in their final interpretation, the researchers | | | | Because of the results of an omega 3 ADHD |
| say that "current findings do not support the use | | | | study in the UK and because the supplement can |
| of EFA supplements as a primary or | | | | be used to treat other disorders, they already |
| supplementary treatment for children with ADHD". | | | | have pharmaceutical grade fish oil in the European |
| Perhaps, if the researchers had conducted their | | | | Union. To date, there is no such standard for |
| own omega 3 ADHD study, their interpretation | | | | supplements manufactured in the US. It is up to |
| would somehow make more sense. But, to say | | | | the manufacturer to insure that they are pure, |
| on the one hand that supplementation improved | | | | safe and effective. We don't really want that to |
| symptoms and then on the other to say that | | | | change, but that's a subject for another article. |
| current findings do not support their use seems | | | | Just remember this. The results of an omega 3 |
| like so much scientific mumbo jumbo. | | | | ADHD study might be mixed, but so are those |
| Parents of children suffering from attention deficit | | | | concerning Ritalin. At the very least, fish oil will do |
| disorders, learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, | | | | no harm. |