ADHD: omega 3 EPA and DHA are of great help

Supplements containing Omega 3 can act positively on the behavior of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), slightly alleviating some symptoms. EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosaenoic acid), in fact, appear to increase the level of attention, not only in young people to affected by the disorder but also in those with normal behavior.

This is confirmed by a study conducted at the University Medical Center in Utrecht (Netherlands) and published in then the journal Neuropsychopharmacology.

A widespread pediatric disorder

ADHD is one of the most common behavior disorders in children and teens, and is characterized by difficulties with attention, concentration and impulse control.

It is often treated with drugs, while non-drug therapies include supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids, although their effectiveness remains to be conclusively demonstrated.

Previous studies on the topic have found a link between supplementation with Omega-3 and reduction of ADHD symptoms. A large review study in 2011, which included about 700 children, showed that taking supplements containing Omega-3 caused small improvements in ADHD symptoms.

Why polyunsaturated fatty acids affect ADHD symptoms is not known, but it is thought that they may act on brain cells.

In fact, Omega-3s are abundantly present in the cell membranes of neurons, facilitating the transmission of nerve signals.

Small improvements in boys who were taking Omega-3s

The study in question involved 80 very young people, aged 8 to 14 years, half of whom were diagnosed with ADHD. One part of the subjects consumed 10 grams of margarine enriched with 650 mg DHA and 650 mg EPA , the other half a regular margarine.

The two treatments were followed daily for 16 weeks.

At the end of the study, the children who had taken Omega-3s showed a reduction in their attention problems, as reported by their parents and specific test results, compared with those who had not taken the supplement.

Improvements in attention were also observed in the group of boys without the behavioral deficit, although to a lesser extent than in the ADHD patients.

Results yet to be further investigated

According to Dr. Daniel Coury, a pediatrician at Nationwide Children's Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, these results support the hypothesis that omega-3 fatty acids may have beneficial effects on children with ADHD, but it cannot be considered a definitive study because it considers only a few subjects.

Moreover, again according to Coury, small improvements in test scores may not translate into significant improvement in children's daily lives.

According to the researchers who authored the research, in any case, this study offers evidence to support that Omega-3s can play a positive role in both affected and healthy individuals, and that they could be useful in enhancing the effect of drug treatments for ADHD.

Source: Bos DJ, OranjeB, Veerhoek ES, Van Diepen RM, Weusten JM, Demmelmair H, Koletzko B, de Sain-van der Velden MG, EilanderA, Hoeksma M,Durston S."Reduced Symptoms of Inattention after Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation in Boys with and without Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder." Neuropsychopharmacology. 2015 Mar 19. doi: 10.1038/npp.2015.73