Friday, September 09, 2011

Omega-3 supps reduce ADHD symptoms

Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acid may decrease symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. In an evaluation of 699 total children with ADHD, investigators found that those who received omega-3 supplements had a "small but significant" improvement in symptom severity compared with those who were given placebo. The relative efficacy of this treatment was modest compared with currently available pharmacotherapies for ADHD. Because of its relatively benign side-effect profile, omega-3 supplements may be a reasonable add-on to traditional interventions or an option for families who do not want other psychopharmacologic treatments.

Omega-3 fatty acids have anti-inflammatory properties and can alter central nervous system cell membrane fluidity and phospholipid composition. Fish oil-derived EPA/DHA, not plant based ALA, was effective in this study. Journal of American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry, August 2011

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