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Published: December 24, 2009
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Do you have a family member who has been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity? If so, some studies have indicated that a daily dose of Omega 3 fatty acids may be worth investigating as a possible treatment.

ADHD currently affects some 7 per cent of children, mostly boys. What most people don't realize is that nearly 70% of these children take their deficit disorder into adulthood. 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.

Because these are our children, extensive studies have been done and they indicate that many of these children show very low levels of essential fatty acids known as Omega 3 faty acids, most importantly the fats referred to as DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) that are found in fish and fish oils.

Recently, the Inflammation Research Foundation did a study with three boys and six girls, all of which had been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity. These nine children all had problems concentrating on given tasks for extended periods of time, and each had varying degrees of hyperactivity or other disruptive behavior.

The study was conducted over an eight week period, during which time the children were given high doses of Omega 3 fatty acids in the form of fish oil supplements. All of their activities were monitored along with the levels of DHA and EPA.

The institute used a table that was developed for people with Attention Deficit Disorder that scores a persons attention and hyperactivity. The table ranges from 0-25, with 0 being the highest grade. The average score for the nine children was 18 for attention and 11 for hyperactivity, both scores higher than normal. Obviously the levels of EPA and DHA increased dramatically due to the use of the fish oils, but the attention level dropped to an average of 10, and the hyperactivity fell to 5. Both of these are particularly impressive results for children with Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, and it seems the Omega 3 supplements were the reason.

It's much to early to make a broad statement as to the benifits of Omega 3 fatty acids, but there does seem to be a direct correlation between the fish oil and Attention Deficit Disorder. It is clear however that adequate levels of DHA and EPA do seem to impact on conditions such as 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.

About the Author:

Paul Davidson is a freelance writer/researcher living and working in New Mexico. Davidson writes on a variety of subjects ranging from spectator sports to healthy living to where to find the best camping spots in our National Parks and National Forests. Read More at: http://ThoughtsWhileShaving.us http://NationalParksandForests.com

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Attention Deficit Disorder and Omega 3 Fish Oil- What's The Link?