December 30th, 2005

A total of 30 of these children were told to eat a chocolate fish oil spread on bread each day.  After a 3 month time period, 20 out of 30 of these children showed significant improvement when a psychological re-evaluation was performed.  The rest of the children did not have any treatment.  Although the results are exciting the researchers caution that this is preliminary findings and more research will be needed.

Another study that reinforces fish oil as an alternative treatment to ADHD was an extensive study of children in Durham, U.K.   The study covered school age children that were behind a year from their peers, many had ADHD.  The results showed dramatic improvements in speech, behavior, and in reading.  The fatty acid supplements were a combination of omega-3 and omega-6 and are essential for the body to function well.

Sources of the essential fatty acids omega 3 and omega 6 come from both plant sources, such as flax seed, as well as fish.  One thought as to the reason that ADHD children are more susceptible than other children is that they have less of an ability to convert LA and ALA into EPA and DHA type of fats.  The plant sources of omega-3 may not be as easily used in the ADHD children.