Omega-3, Concentration and Hyperactivity

Summary) When these problems start to have an adverse impact on school performance and behaviour, the child may be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Research has established that omega3 fatty acids are crucial for healthy infant brain development, and researchers are also finding that omega-3 deficiencies might be related to a range of mental health problems including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, dyslexia and ADHD. » Jump to indexing (document details) Full Text (1404 words) Copyright Control Publications Pty Ltd Jan/Feb 2007 [Headnote] Learning and behaviour problems associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can cause a great deal of distress for children, their parents and teachers. Natalie Sinn examines whether fish oil might provide some relief. Many people either have, or know someone with, a child who has difficulty sitting still, controlling impulses or concentrating at school. When these problems start to have an adverse impact on school performance and behaviour, the child may be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The number of children diagnosed with ADHD has been increasing dramatically in America, Europe and Australia, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics placing 7% of girls and 19% of boys aged 6-12 in this category. ADHD is more common in boys, and the major symptoms are hyperactivity, impulsivity and inattention. These symptoms often overlap with other problems including learning disabilities (e.g. dyslexia), depression, anxiety and oppositional or antisocial behaviour, and can be associated with poor academic achievement, low self-esteem and problems with self-discipline. When someone in the family has ADHD, very often there will also be other mental health problems within the same family like developmental disorders (e.g. dyslexia, autism or Asperger's syndrome), depression and schizophrenia. There is evidence that children with ADHD have slower brain wave activity in specific areas of their brain, particularly the frontal lobes (behind the forehead), which are responsible for controlling attentioa Studies have found that when children normally concentrate on something like reading, their brainwave patterns will become faster. However, when children with ADHD try to concentrate their brainwave patterns slow down. This would make it very difficult for them to keep their attention focused. Therefore many treatments for ADHD are aimed at addressing symptoms at a biological level. However, there has been a great deal of concern over increasing prescriptions of stimulant medications for these children. Many people have opted for a nutritional approach, and there is some evidence that eliminating food additives and specific foods from the diet, or nutritional supplementation with zinc, might help. A recent study conducted in South Australia has found that fish oil, containing omega-3 fatty acids, may also help to alleviate these symptoms. Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Concentration and Behaviour How can omega-3 fatty acids help with concentration and behaviour? Most of us are aware of the importance of good nutrition for physical health, but not as many of us think about how food might affect our brain. However, it may make sense if we consider that the brain, just like the heart, liver, kidneys or lungs, is an organ. Furthermore, the brain influences our learning, moods and behaviour. Therefore if our brain doesn't receive the right nutrients, this is likely to impact on the way we think, feel and behave. In fact, our brain has very high requirements for energy and nutrients from food, and one of the very important nutrients is omega-3 fatty acids. Over half of our brain is fat, and although the body normally has a 10:1 ratio of omega-6:omega-3 fatty acids, the longchain omega-3 fatty acid DHA is the most concentrated polyunsaturated fat in our brain. Therefore it is thought that long-chain omega-3 fatty acids have very important structural and functional roles in the brain, including the maintenance of cell membrane fluidity and the transmission of neural chemical signals. DHA is highly concentrated in the brain, and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) another omega-3 fatty acid found in fish is also believed to play important roles in brain function. Omega-6 fatty acids dihommogamma-linoleic acid (DGLA) and arachidonic acid (AA) also have important roles in the brain. Research has established that omega3 fatty acids are crucial for healthy infant brain development, and researchers are also finding that omega-3 deficiencies might be related to a range of mental health problems including depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, dementia, dyslexia and ADHD.