Is It Possible That There Is An ADHD Fish Oil Link?

By Peter Bertonach

Is there someone in your family with ADHD? Fish oil may well provide an answer. Although it has not been conclusively proven it seems that using fish oil for ADHD relief may well be useful.

ADHD, or what is otherwise known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, affects about 7 percent of children in the US. Most of these are boys and somewhere around 70 percent continue to adulthood suffering from ADHD. Omega 3 fatty acids have in many studies been shown to be important for the development of the fetal brain and also as a partial treatment for the symptoms of depression and there is now evidence emerging that using fish oil for ADHD treatment may be useful.

Studies on ADHD sufferers have shown that they have very low levels of Omega 3 fatty acids (essential fatty acids) in their bodies. In particular the 2 most important essential fatty acids are the Omega 3 fats called DHA and EPA. These are found primarily in fish, fish oil and for our purposes, in supplements made with fish oil.

The Inflammation Research Foundation has concluded a study recently done on 3 boys and 6 girls, all of which had been diagnosed with symptoms of ADHD. The symptoms are, amongst others, an inability to focus on any task over a period of time and such disruptive behaviour as hyperactivity.

High levels of fish oil supplements were given to each of the children over 8 weeks. During that time levels of Omega 3 fatty acids in their bodies were monitored and a study also monitored various factors indicating the degree to which their ADHD had changed.

During the 8 weeks their levels of EPA and DHA increased significantly and the indicators of the degree of ADHD will sell. Their hyperactivity score fell to less than half, from 11 to 5. Their inattention school fell from 18 to 10. These are impressive results for sufferers of ADHD. Omega 3 supplementation seems to have worked to reduce their symptoms of ADHD.

Of course it's still too early to state that using fish oil for ADHD treatment can be used as a treatment on its own. But it does seem that there is clear evidence that using fish oil for ADHD relief is well worth investigating. It seems there is clear signs of an ADHD fish oil link.

It is also as yet not clear what dosage of fish oil is appropriate for ADHD sufferers. In the study dosage levels were high, higher than is generally recommended.

But there is now little doubt that just about everyone in the US should be taking Omega 3 fish oil supplements, not just sufferers of ADHD. Omega 3 supplements benefit our health in a wide range of ways, including, it seems, in improving our mental state. It seems that adequate levels of essential fatty acids in our body to have an impact on conditions such as depression and ADHD.

For a wide range of different reasons children with ADHD ought to be increasing their intake of Omega 3 essential fatty acids both to improve their general health and their ADHD.

Remember though that not all fish oil supplements are the same and that some have much higher levels of DHA and EPA than others do, and that therefore some offer much better value than others.

Visit my website to find out how you can compare the different Omega 3 fish oil capsules available on the market. - 29956

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