Fish Oil and ADHD | Autism PDD

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Very interesting, Thank You. I have a 15year old with ADHD, and a 12 year old Asperger's. We are starting fish oils with the 12 year old tomorrow, now maybe the 15 year old too. I dont know for how long the link will work for
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=62843

[quote]
Researchers from the University of South Australia and Queensland University of Technology found that the Omega-3 fats in fish oil appear to boost literacy in hyperactive children.

The results were anecdotal, but lead researcher Dr Natalie Sinn said they were "significant" and would now be studied further.

"A quarter of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have learning difficulties, but we saw substantial improvements in this area," Dr Sinn said.

"The Omega-3s clearly seems to help in this way specifically, butt we're not exactly sure how yet."

The research team are further investigating the link between fish oil and ADHD after an initial study was completed last year.

The research found notable improvements in half of the 145 children who took fish oil capsules over 30 weeks.

These kids took oil rich in the long-chain Omega-3 fatty acids called EPA, but the team are now studying whether the other acid, DHA, can also help.

"We now want to find out which of the two is most important," Dr Sinn said.

"We know that Omega-3 fatty acid DHA is also very important for brain development, and many parents are confused as to which formulation of fatty acids to buy for their children."

The new study will also investigate why some children responded better to the oil treatment than others.

Dr Sinn said there was evidence that people with ADHD and other emotional disorders may have difficulty metabolising Omega-3, a problem which may actually have contributed to their condition.

The team will test blood fatty acid levels in the children to see if they can establish patterns between levels and treatment response.

"It might be that some children need higher doses to get the benefits," Dr Sinn said.

Excuse me, what I meant to say was, "They've been shown to HELP prevent and treat depression, menstral problems, etc."  I'm sure that no supplement is without its risks (contamination, etc.), but, from the research I've done, Flax oil is the most effective, safest form of EFA aside from obtaining it in your diet.  That's not to say that fish oil is dangerous, harmful, or ineffective, I was just sharing my perspective on EFAs.  I'm sure it's better to obtain EFAs from fish oil than not at all and don't doubt that they are helpful for various conditions.  If your problems aren't caused by an EFA deficiency, I'm sure the supplement won't help in whatever form you take it, but since a vast majority of people are deficient in EFAs and other essential nutrients, it can be a good form of treatment, and much safer than using man-made drugs, which only treat the symptoms and not the underlying CAUSE of a given disorder in a majority of cases.  Just my .02, though.  I believe that Omega 3's are amazing supplements needed by every system of our bodies.  They prevent and treat depression, menstrual problems, and many other common maladies.  However, there are safer, more effective ways to get your RDA of healthy fats.  Flax seed oil, Evening Primrose oil, and Hemp oil are all plant-based sources of Omega 3's and other EFAs and are safer than fish oil, which may contain mercury or other contaminants.  In addition, fish oil capsules tend to get rancid if not properly stored and used within a certain period of time, which is not the case with the others I've listed.  Hope this helps.[quote]However, there are safer, more effective ways to get your RDA of healthy fats.  Flax seed oil, Evening Primrose oil, and Hemp oil are all plant-based sources of Omega 3's and other EFAs and are safer than fish oil, which may contain mercury or other contaminants.[/quote]

Just because those sources are plant based doesn't make them immune from contamination of pesticides and herbicides.

And they are not necessarily more effective either.
The plant based sources tend to supply Alpha-Linolenic acid and not the DHA and EPA we need.

EPA
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/eicosapentaenoic-acid-000 301.htm

DHA
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/docosahexaenoic-acid-0003 00.htm

ALA
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/alpha-linolenic-000284.ht m

Omega 3 overview
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/omega-3-000316.htm

Omega 6 overview
http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/omega-6-000317.htm

This from the Omega 3 overview

[quote]In addition to the dietary sources described, EPA and DHA can be taken in the form of fish oil capsules. Flaxseed, flaxseed oil, and fish oil should be kept refrigerated. Whole flaxseeds must be ground within 24 hours of use, otherwise the ingredients lose their activity. Flaxseeds are also available in ground form in a special mylar package so that the components in the flaxseeds stay active.

Be sure to buy omega-3 fatty acid supplements made by established companies who certify that their products are free of heavy metals such as mercury.[/quote]

we also need to be careful when we say certain supps can treat or prevent diseases, people should see a health professional if they have problems like the ones you listed.

forker

[QUOTE=Bluebird]

Anyone who is concerned about mercury in fish oil may want to fork out the extra money for a high quality exta-purified brand. My daughter takes 1-2 tsps daily of this fish oil. http://www.nordicnaturals.com/en/Products/Product_Details/98 /?ProdID=1469

Another thing to be careful about is dosing. Most children's supplements I've seen don't have near enough omega 3 to be effective.  A baby or toddler needs at least 700mg a day. A preschool child needs between 700mg-1gram. An adult can safely take 2 grams per day. I think Dr. Sears has some guidelines on dosing this in children.

[/QUOTE]

Can you tell me whether that specific product has nut contamination? We had gotten the Children's liquid DHA from nordic naturals and then after getting it realized it has peanut contamination which my son is allergic to.

i have a kid 2 years and 10 months he is diagnosed as an
ADHD kid, he is in speech therapy, but lately the doctor
put him under GFCF diet is that common?

i think he will use the Dan! protocol for my son, actually
i am really confused, he has speech delay and he is not
autistic child but we are using an autism treatment,
please anybody know anything that helps?

Just an FYI to Tracii's statements... flax oil is good for you, yes however most children do not have the enzyme needed to convert flax oil into DHA and EPA.  Flax oil should be taken by adults and other forms of EFA's given to children.

http://www.cure-guide.com/Natural_Health_Newsletter/Flaxseed _Oil/flaxseed_oil.html

Anyone who is concerned about mercury in fish oil may want to fork out the extra money for a high quality exta-purified brand. My daughter takes 1-2 tsps daily of this fish oil. http://www.nordicnaturals.com/en/Products/Product_Details/98 /?ProdID=1469

Another thing to be careful about is dosing. Most children's supplements I've seen don't have near enough omega 3 to be effective.  A baby or toddler needs at least 700mg a day. A preschool child needs between 700mg-1gram. An adult can safely take 2 grams per day. I think Dr. Sears has some guidelines on dosing this in children.

[QUOTE=JulieA]

Just an FYI to Tracii's statements... flax oil is good for you, yes however most children do not have the enzyme needed to convert flax oil into DHA and EPA.  Flax oil should be taken by adults and other forms of EFA's given to children.

http://www.cure-guide.com/Natural_Health_Newsletter/Flaxseed _Oil/flaxseed_oil.html

[/QUOTE]

co-signed, and also recent evidence also shows that algea dha is not processed properly either, and may even be detrimental.  Yet, we put that in infant formula!

http://usfoodpolicy.blogspot.com/2008/01/how-safe-and-effect ive-are-dha-and-ara.html

Omega 3 (coromega) has been HUGE for my DS.  Within just a few days of starting him on it, everyone was asking if we'd put him on meds - the change was that dramatic. 

My kids love Carlson labs fish oil with lemon (not the cod liver it made us all want to vomit) they like it straight from the bottle in liquid form no chewables or anything, although I have to say they are big fans of fish. It is a bit on the expensive side but it is tested regularly for contaminants, I don’t know about the peanuts but here is the company link and they have a phone number

http://www.carlsonlabs.com/p-70-very-finest-fish-oil-lemon-f lavor.aspx

[QUOTE=rrsszz22][QUOTE=Bluebird]

Anyone who is concerned about mercury in fish oil may want to fork out the extra money for a high quality exta-purified brand. My daughter takes 1-2 tsps daily of this fish oil. http://www.nordicnaturals.com/en/Products/Product_Details/98 /?ProdID=1469

Another thing to be careful about is dosing. Most children's supplements I've seen don't have near enough omega 3 to be effective.  A baby or toddler needs at least 700mg a day. A preschool child needs between 700mg-1gram. An adult can safely take 2 grams per day. I think Dr. Sears has some guidelines on dosing this in children.

[/QUOTE]

Can you tell me whether that specific product has nut contamination? We had gotten the Children's liquid DHA from nordic naturals and then after getting it realized it has peanut contamination which my son is allergic to.

[/QUOTE]

I've posted this URL in two other posts. I hope this helps.

Which fish oil brands are best for children?

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-389362/Which-fish- oil-brands-best-children.html#ixzz0ixsddY47


 

My DS takes Coromega - it actually manages to not taste all fishy like most of them do.
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