ADHD and Omega-3s
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder is a condition affecting huge numbers of kids in the US, characterized by the inability to focus on a given task or situation. Classically, it’s treated with Ritalin, a stimulant, but there’s some evidence that Omega-3 fatty acids could be a better solution.
So why are researchers leaning in that direction? I mean, it’s not exactly intuitive: ADHD kids are responding to a stimulant, and Omega-3s are certainly NOT a stimulant, so what gives?
The first clue started cropping up a couple of decades ago, as ADHD started becoming a more and more popular diagnosis. After a while, some big-brained folks started realizing that some symptoms exhibited by kids with ADHD were also shared by kids who had severe Omega-3 deficiency… stuff like increased thirst and urination, dry hair, and dry skin.
Plus, animal studies showed things like rats low in Omega-3s had a hard time learning in new environments. Specifically, they were easily distractable- sound like ADHD to you? This evidence was followed up with blood tests showing ADHD kids had lower levels of both the Omega-3 and Omega-6 Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs).
Why would this happen? Well, it’s possible that the reason why ADHD kids have trouble focusing is an inability to block out inappropriate responses to anything and everything in the environment. You see, learning isn’t just about what TO do, it’s also about learning what NOT to do. This is true on a behavioral level as well as a physical level.
Think about it. When you do something as simple as take a step, you need to coordinate the efforts of a number of different muscles, in just the right amounts, at just the right time. But you also have to know which muscles to NOT contract…otherwise, you’d throw your own balance off if, while in mid-step, you suddenly kicked like you were going for a soccer goal. Inhibiting inappropriate action is just as important to function as enabling proper action.
In fact, loads of neuroscience is suggesting that this inhibition of inappropriate response is far more important than anything else when it comes to learning! That’s a pretty strong statement, so let’s just leave it at this: inhibition is important. That inhibition is governed by neurotransmitters, which are chemical messengers in the brain.
Stimulants like Ritalin seem to work by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain called dopamine and serotonin. So it’s not that these kids need stimulants, it’s that these kids need neurotransmitters, and the stimulants help with the neurotransmitters.
Guess what? Omega-3 deficiency is linked with deficiency issues in dopamine and serotonin, those very same neurotransmitters involved in ADHD. So it stands to reason, you might be able to help out kids with ADHD through using Omega-3 supplements like fish oil.
Okay, theories are nice, but what’s the evidence? Well, one study out of Australia shows that kids given an EFA supplement (one that had both Omega-3 and Omega-6 in it) showed significant improvement after 15 weeks. One group that then was switched to placebo stayed stagnant, while the other group which took the supplements for another 15 weeks showed even more improvement.
How much improvement? The 30 weeks group actually improved more than on Ritalin!
That’s a pretty powerful finding, and I think it speaks for itself.
Do you think kids should take an Omega-3 supplement like fish oils? Let me know below in the comment section! And if you know some crazy, out of control kids, send this article to their parents and save yourself (and them) some aggravation!
Stay healthy!