The ADHD Fish Oil Connection
Does treating ADHD with fish oil really ADD up?
Many studies which have taken place around the world, especially from Australia and Italy, seem to have reached that conclusion. Huge improvements in focusing attention in reading and children experiencing emotional stability have been noticed. They recommend that children ought to take one pure 1000mg fish oil supplement per day, even though many studies used much more. Those included in such studies as a placebo group, made no gains in controlling their compulsive behavior or concentration levels. So the practical evidence is clear that the omega3 fatty acids EPA and DHA do help with ADHD and ADD.
In large amounts, oxidation may take place with the use of higher doses of fish oil for ADHD conditions, hence do make sure that some olive oil is also added to a child's diet as an anti oxidant. Also only use a quality fish oil supplements which is known to be molecularly distilled and rich in DHA fatty acid. Compared to Ritalin, a pharmaceutical treatment for ADHD which can lead to aggressive conduct and even heart difficulties, 1000mg of fish oil a day is a very safe option!
Infact if Evening Primrose Oil is included for its GLA content, this combination with fish oil brings about better result than Ritalin, without the possible drastic side effects which are well reported upon in the field of nutrition. Even personality changes and stunted growth have been associated with Ritalin.
Please keep in mind that some authorities are too quick to label a child has having an ADHD problem. Pharmaceutical health care is a multi billion dollar business, so be sure to check out other factors including your child being very intelligent and thus bored. What about his sense of hearing, could that be behind his difficulty? A vision problem perhaps or does he simply have a very inventive imagination, which can result in a loss of focus to immediate attention when it was required. After all, did you not day dream allot at school? One thing is for sure boys mostly have this kind of attention problem. Even so be sure to really check it out, since labelling a child has being ADHD, is taking on a life of its own in some countries, and it may not always be for noble reasons.
When proper tests have been employed, ADHD sufferers have been found to have low blood levels of EPA DHA fatty acids. The brain is made up of 60% DHA and is responsible for the connection which exist in our neurons. While it is good to feed your child healthy foods and include healthy snacks such as figs, seeds and nuts, such snacks even though far more beneficial than junk food and canned soda's, do not contain vast amounts of DHA fats. Since a concentrated amount is required according to published studies for ADHD, then a fish oil supplement, would be the best source for this important fatty acid.
There are some who imply that fats found in rancid vegetable oils, which are used in baked goods and processed foods, may be behind the ADHD condition. Such would help towards increase inflammation in the body. Hence, a change of diet and an increase in the balance of omega3 fish fats, can not only improve a child's present and future health, but could greatly improve mental performance which requires concentration.
On a final note, a lack of the mineral Zinc which is found in sea foods and pumpkin seeds has also been implicated in ADHD, along with a lack of probiotics for maintaining flora. Interestingly, omega 3 fats are important for producing flora. Hence an omega3 fish oil supplement along with a probiotic and a diet containing zinc rich foods is well worth investigating. By the way both Zinc and omega3 fats build up the immune system.
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