Many people have wondered the effects of fish oil for ADHD and how it can help relieve the symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The University of South Australia did a study on 132 children who were given the supplement and reported that after the trial period was over those who had used the supplement reported a 40-50% improvement on symptoms.
However, before you jump out to buy fish oil, there’s an important thing to remember: not all fish oil products are the same and there is no guarantee that it will improve your child or even be safer for them. In fact, one Norwegian study showed that those who ate foods with the Omega Three naturally in them saw greater absorption from smaller amounts of food than larger amounts of supplements. Eating salmon once a week for example, could be better than taking a large amount of supplements.
Fish oil is thought to have many benefits and it is derived from the tissues of fish such as salmon, mackerel, trout, tuna, and herring. However, there are also some concerns about toxins such as mercury and other contaminants, which is why the FDA recommends that only a limited amount be consumed each week.
The benefit of eating these fish or taking the supplements lies in the Omega 3 Fatty Acids. These Omega Three essential acids are believed to have many important nutrients that our body does not produce on its own.
Many children however are likely not going to enjoy the taste or smell of these supplements (after all, they are a little fishy!) and even getting a child who is a picky eater to eat the salmon or tuna could be a bit of a challenge – there are adults who don’t even like it!
The good news is that Omega 3 acids can be found naturally in other foods that your kids likely will eat – and giving them natural whole foods is the safest thing you can do since many vitamin supplements can sometimes do more harm than good. Since supplements are not regulated by the FDA may also not have the quality and standards you would expect or require. You also want to make sure that you do not take too much, as the adage of “too much of a good thing” can really hold true for many. Those who have taken large mega doses of Omega Three’s have been subject to problems with blood thinning and even possibly stroke.
For the safest way to test any benefit or improvement in your child, eating healthy foods is the recommended way to go by most pediatricians. The other foods that contain omega 3 beside salmon include Flax seed and walnuts, which can be incorporated into just about any child’s diet unless a nut allergy is a concern. Flax seeds can easily be incorporated into a number of recipes or even turned into flour which you can purchase. Other foods that have some of these fatty acids include Cloves, Kale, spinach, raspberries, mustard seeds, broccoli, and a few others. Some organic eggs and grass fed beef also contain higher sources of Omega 3 Fatty Acids, and most kids will eat these things without too much complaint.
There is certainly no to little harm in incorporating salmon, walnuts, spinach, raspberries, and flax seed into a child’s regular diet as long as no allergy concerns are present. However, taking supplements should only be done under the recommendation of a child’s pediatrician, as the concern for contaminants and whether it is actually necessary of beneficial is still a subject of controversy amongst many.
It’s also important to remember that before changing your child’s medication for ADHD you should always consult with a doctor to make sure that is done in a safe method, as some medications can cause severe symptoms when stopped suddenly. Being an informed parent and choosing a doctor who does not just reach for the prescription pad can help you determine the best route of treatment for your child.
Do you have any experience using fish oil for ADHD? Share your comments about ADHD, fish oil, and omega three fatty acids in the comments section below.
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