Omega 3 ADHD Study and What it Reveals
A 2009 omega 3 ADHD study from Israel aimed to provide a systematic overview of the theory and use of essential fatty acids in the treatment of children displaying the behavioral patterns associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
It seems that the researchers fell short of their mark in many ways.
Instead of conducting any new clinical trials, they relied on the results of other studies that have been conducted over the years.
They were not selective about which studies were included in the review.
Usually, when researchers are looking to arrive at some sort of significant conclusion, based solely on the work of other researchers, they include only trials that are randomized and placebo controlled in their reviews.
The results of the review contradict the researchers' interpretation of the results.
The researchers admit that children with attention deficit disorders have lower blood levels of essential fatty acids and that supplementation raises the blood levels and improves symptoms.
Yet in their final interpretation, the researchers say that "current findings do not support the use of EFA supplements as a primary or supplementary treatment for children with ADHD".
Perhaps, if the researchers had conducted their own omega 3 ADHD study, their interpretation would somehow make more sense.
But, to say on the one hand that supplementation improved symptoms and then on the other to say that current findings do not support their use seems like so much scientific mumbo jumbo.
Parents of children suffering from attention deficit disorders, learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, emotional disorders or autism should be aware of the importance of adequate intake of omega-3s.
There is no doubt that EPA and DHA (Eicosapentaenoic acid and Docosahexaenoic acid) are essential for the normal development and function of the brain and central nervous system.
Regardless of the findings of any omega 3 ADHD study, there is also no doubt that a deficiency or imbalanced intake (taking in too many omega-6s and not enough omega-3s) of these nutrients has a negative impact on brain function, throughout a person's life, not just during fetal developmental and infancy.
These are things that we know for a certainty.
Why doctors would not recommend supplementation for all children, as well as their parents, is a mystery.
Why researchers continue to question the benefits is no mystery.
They want to find a "mode of action", which would make the nutritional supplement a drug, which would raise the price and make it available only with a prescription.
Because of the results of an omega 3 ADHD study in the UK and because the supplement can be used to treat other disorders, they already have pharmaceutical grade fish oil in the European Union.
To date, there is no such standard for supplements manufactured in the US.
It is up to the manufacturer to insure that they are pure, safe and effective.
We don't really want that to change, but that's a subject for another article.
Just remember this.
The results of an omega 3 ADHD study might be mixed, but so are those concerning Ritalin.
At the very least, fish oil will do no harm.
It seems that the researchers fell short of their mark in many ways.
Instead of conducting any new clinical trials, they relied on the results of other studies that have been conducted over the years.
They were not selective about which studies were included in the review.
Usually, when researchers are looking to arrive at some sort of significant conclusion, based solely on the work of other researchers, they include only trials that are randomized and placebo controlled in their reviews.
The results of the review contradict the researchers' interpretation of the results.
The researchers admit that children with attention deficit disorders have lower blood levels of essential fatty acids and that supplementation raises the blood levels and improves symptoms.
Yet in their final interpretation, the researchers say that "current findings do not support the use of EFA supplements as a primary or supplementary treatment for children with ADHD".
Perhaps, if the researchers had conducted their own omega 3 ADHD study, their interpretation would somehow make more sense.
But, to say on the one hand that supplementation improved symptoms and then on the other to say that current findings do not support their use seems like so much scientific mumbo jumbo.
Parents of children suffering from attention deficit disorders, learning disabilities, behavioral disorders, emotional disorders or autism should be aware of the importance of adequate intake of omega-3s.
There is no doubt that EPA and DHA (Eicosapentaenoic acid and Docosahexaenoic acid) are essential for the normal development and function of the brain and central nervous system.
Regardless of the findings of any omega 3 ADHD study, there is also no doubt that a deficiency or imbalanced intake (taking in too many omega-6s and not enough omega-3s) of these nutrients has a negative impact on brain function, throughout a person's life, not just during fetal developmental and infancy.
These are things that we know for a certainty.
Why doctors would not recommend supplementation for all children, as well as their parents, is a mystery.
Why researchers continue to question the benefits is no mystery.
They want to find a "mode of action", which would make the nutritional supplement a drug, which would raise the price and make it available only with a prescription.
Because of the results of an omega 3 ADHD study in the UK and because the supplement can be used to treat other disorders, they already have pharmaceutical grade fish oil in the European Union.
To date, there is no such standard for supplements manufactured in the US.
It is up to the manufacturer to insure that they are pure, safe and effective.
We don't really want that to change, but that's a subject for another article.
Just remember this.
The results of an omega 3 ADHD study might be mixed, but so are those concerning Ritalin.
At the very least, fish oil will do no harm.
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