Can Omega 3 Improve Brain Function?
Fish oil supplements VS Ritalin:
Are Omega 3 fatty acids a new solution for ADD /ADHD?
Is your child having trouble concentrating in school? Does he or she have trouble staying focused? Does your son or daughter seem temperamental or withdrawn? Does he or she often act out without warning? These are the some of the common symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and / or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
To date there are no laboratory or imaging tests to determine if your child has ADD / ADHD. A doctor’s diagnosis is based on the signs and symptoms they observe and by ruling out other conditions.
A common treatment for ADD / ADHD is a prescription drug called Methylphenidate, commonly known by the brand name Ritalin. While Ritalin has been widely prescribed for treating ADD and ADHD patients, recent reports suggest that after prolonged use, patients often acquire a dependence on the drug or suffer from side effects such as depression, irritability headaches, anxiety, nervousness, stomach pains, dry mouth, dizziness, blurred vision, drowsiness, anemia, anorexia, hair loss, blood glucose changes, increased blood pressure, paranoia, seizures, and in rare cases death.
Parents should be aware that Ritalin, and prescription drugs similar to it like Concerta, are not a cure for ADHD, but rather a quick fix. Ritalin is a mind-altering drug that could pose potential harm to your child after continued use. Between 1990 and 2000, 186 deaths occurred due to the prolonged usage of Ritalin and this information was reported to the FDA’s MedWatch program. In fact, the Drug Enforcement Administration had listed Methylphenidate (Ritalin) as a Schedule II drug, comparable to the effects of cocaine. A scheduled drug is a substance whose use and distribution is strictly controlled because of its abuse potential or risk.
It’s not surprising that Ritalin is known to many as “kiddie cocaine.”
So what’s the alternative to Ritalin? Believe it or not, many of the symptoms of ADD or ADHD may be effectively reversed using one of grandma’s old tonics – taking a dose of cod liver oil. Though it sounds farfetched, in recent years, growing research has been touting the numerous health benefits of fish oil – in particular the Omega- 3 fatty acids contained in fish oil. In fact, there have been a number of studies looking at the effectiveness of Omega 3 in treating ADD and ADHD in children. The findings indicate positive results.
Omega 3 fatty acids are a certain type of unsaturated fat that the body needs but cannot produce on its own; therefore it must be obtained from food. The three main types of Omega 3 fatty acids that are integral to the body are a-Linolenic Acid (ALA), Eicosapentaenoic Acid (ELA) and Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA). Sources of Omega 3 fatty acids can be found in oily fish such as salmon, sardines, mackerel, herring, tuna and bluefish. Other sources of Omega 3 can be found in marine life such as krill and algae. In the past Omega 3 fatty acids were an unavoidable part of our diet and American farms were rich in Omega 3 resources. Omega 3 molecules are made up of sunlight, water, carbon dioxide and chloroplasts of plants and algae. Before the evolution of technology to enhance food production, animals used to roam the fields freely and graze on sun-filled pastures. Today they are quickly fattened up with grain and are housed in close quarters to other animals. Over the years Omega 3 fatty acids have been removed from our diets because of our dependence on meat, processed foods and fast food.
Research concludes that Omega 3 fatty acids play an important part in nervous system and brain development.
A study conducted by the University of Adelaide in Australia followed the progress of children aged seven to 12 who were diagnosed with ADHD. Some were given fish oil supplements while the others were given a placebo.
After seven months, the children that took fish oil supplements showed improvements in school. These children were not as restless and their behaviors improved. The children in the placebo group were later switched to fish oil and their behaviors also improved.
Long after the study was completed improvements were still being seen. Experts believe that Omega 3 fish oil supplements could have long-term benefits on cognitive development. When the researchers compared their results to studies of Ritalin and Concerta (another drug for ADHD), they found that fish oils were more effective. A 2005 study in Britain concluded that children who are given Omega 3 fatty acids show improvements in behavior, reading and spelling. Earl Mindell, RPh PhD and author of Earl Mindell's Supplement Bible, believes that DHA compound contained in Omega 3 fatty acids are integral to brain development.
“There's a reason why fish is known as brain food. It is a rich source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a fatty acid that is found in high concentration in the gray matter of the brain. DHA is instrumental in the function of brain cell membranes, which are important for the transmission of brain signals.”
It appears that fish oil supplements could be a safer and healthier alternative to Ritalin.
If you’re wondering whether you should start giving fish oil supplements to your kids, now is as good a time to start as any – but before you do, talk to your doctor first.
To get an accurate diagnosis of ADD or ADHD, it is important to have a full medical and psychological exam from your health practitioner.