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Diet breakthrough for ADHD
Yahoo 7 Australia ^ | August 17, 2005 | Glenn Connley

Posted on 03/19/2006 4:49:53 PM PST by Coleus

Australian researchers have discovered that fish oil rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids may improve attention spans and even help children with ADHD.

Children with behavioural problems can seem like little terrors. But according to doctors, they are not problem kids: they are sick kids.   Experts have long debated whether or not attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) even exists, let alone an effective treatment or cure. But a new study has claimed results. Researchers at the University of South Australia and CSIRO studied 145 children with ADHD, giving some capsules containing fish oil high in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids. Other children took a pure placebo capsule.

[Related story: From ADHD to angel]

Natalie Sinn, who oversaw the research project, said researchers spoke to the children's parents. "What we found was that after the fifteen weeks, is that [in] the children who had the fish oil, parents reported an improved concentration," Ms Sinn said. "They were calmer, they could read better." Tests given to the children who took fish oil revealed an increase in attention, as did parents’ reports. There was no improvement in the children who took the placebo.

While it was not known exactly how the fish oil products made a difference, Ms Sinn described it as "oiling the brain". "Because these omega 3 fatty acids that are in the fish oil are very concentrated in the brain, researchers believe that they help with brain function," Ms Sinn said.

[Related story: Help for kids with ADHD]

"So the signals that are sent through our brain are sent through neural membranes and the fats are very concentrated in those membranes." The most effective oils were found naturally in some canned fish, certain vegetables, seed and nut products. "A lot of the foods that are rich in omega 3 fatty acids are dark green leafy vegetables, certain types of fish like salmon, tuna and mackerel and things like that," Ms Sinn said. "And also you can get the fish oil from supplements."

Disclaimer
The information on seven.com.au/todaytonight  is made available for information purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Also, the accuracy, currency and completeness of the information is not guaranteed. The Seven Network does not accept any liability for any injury, loss or damage incurred by use of or reliance on the information.


TOPICS: Australia/New Zealand; Culture/Society
KEYWORDS: add; adhd; diet; disorders; fish; fishoil; health; nutrition; omega; supplements; vitamins
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1 posted on 03/19/2006 4:49:54 PM PST by Coleus
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Health Experts Warn of Antidepressant Dangers for Children, Teens
2 posted on 03/19/2006 4:50:46 PM PST by Coleus (What were Ted Kennedy & his nephew doing on Good Friday, 1991? Getting drunk and raping women)
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To: Coleus

bump


3 posted on 03/19/2006 4:55:55 PM PST by VOA
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To: Coleus


This has been used for this purpose in the "health food" community for years.


4 posted on 03/19/2006 4:56:39 PM PST by msnimje (SAMMY for SANDY --- THAT IS WHAT I CALL A GOOD TRADE!!!)
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To: Coleus
But a new study has claimed results.

All new studies claim results.

A new study is launched weekly.

What we need is a study of the study results, instead of darting off in every direction to do something new based on a study.

5 posted on 03/19/2006 4:58:33 PM PST by Dog Gone
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To: Coleus

Ordinarily I would say this is the usual quack complete BS dietary treatment for childhood misbehavior.

I would be wrong. The science seems legit.

P.S. I take 1000 mg of mixed omega 3 fish oil complex daily, distilled,and tested by independent labs for heavy metals for purity. I take it ward off MI and stroke.


6 posted on 03/19/2006 4:59:19 PM PST by FormerACLUmember (No program, no ideas, no clue: The democrats!)
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To: Coleus

if anyone knows more of the foods that are helpful please let me know....

my little angels are as wild as their mother!


7 posted on 03/19/2006 4:59:29 PM PST by eeevil conservative (the GREATONE THINKS I'M GREAT! AND HE AGREES WITH WHATEVER I SAY!)
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To: Coleus

ADHD does exist, but the psychiatric drugs used to treat it often do more harm than good. This discovery sounds promising.


8 posted on 03/19/2006 5:00:01 PM PST by Clintonfatigued (Bob Taft for Impeachment)
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To: eeevil conservative

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1082102/posts?page=40#40


9 posted on 03/19/2006 5:03:02 PM PST by Coleus (What were Ted Kennedy & his nephew doing on Good Friday, 1991? Getting drunk and raping women)
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To: FormerACLUmember
I take it for the same reasons. It's good for normal heart rhythm too.
10 posted on 03/19/2006 5:03:59 PM PST by Coleus (What were Ted Kennedy & his nephew doing on Good Friday, 1991? Getting drunk and raping women)
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To: Coleus
I bet the first person to put these Omega 3 fatty-acids in a good tasting kid's breakfast cereal will become a billionaire.

The study sounds promising. I hope we learn more.

11 posted on 03/19/2006 5:06:29 PM PST by kstewskis ("I don't know what I know, but I know that it's big".....Jerry Fletcher)
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To: Clintonfatigued
ADHD does exist, but the psychiatric drugs used to treat it often do more harm than good. This discovery sounds promising.

It doesn't help when teachers and doctors label just about anyone with a pulse as having it.

ADHD is real, but its becoming the most overly diagnosed disorder anywhere, if some kid gets out of hand, its automatic that he gets the label.

12 posted on 03/19/2006 5:09:01 PM PST by Sonny M ("oderint dum metuant")
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To: Coleus

They keep telling us to eat fish because it has omega3 in it. They are feeding it to chickens so we can get it in our eggs.

For $10, you can buy a three month supply of supplements with omega3, 6, and 9.


13 posted on 03/19/2006 5:09:07 PM PST by JustDoItAlways
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To: Coleus
This isn't a "breakthrough." It has been known for years.

I feel like I just clicked on a Yahoo! News headline that says "Reasearchers Discover Link Between Obesity and Heart Disease."

14 posted on 03/19/2006 5:09:29 PM PST by bluefish (Holding out for worthy tagline...)
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To: Coleus

My problem with this is that of the 4 kids in my family, my 2 sisters had no problem, I had moderate ad and my brother was severely adhd. This was growing up in the 60's and we all ate the exact same diet living in the country with our mother at home and cooking for all of us.

My brother was the only one officially diagnosed at the time and treated. I wasn't diagnosed until my 30's.

Who knows....


15 posted on 03/19/2006 5:10:05 PM PST by Clintons Are White Trash (Lynn Stewart, Helen Thomas , Molly Ivins, Maureen Dowd - The Axis of Ugly)
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To: Coleus

This won't ever be "widely" publicized. The pharmaceutical companies have way to much to loose.


16 posted on 03/19/2006 5:10:25 PM PST by freeangel ( (free speech is only good until someone else doesn't like what you say))
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To: Clintonfatigued
Children medicated in kindergarten have socialization issues later because their senses are so deadened they fail to notice social cues and proper methods of social interaction while growing up.

ADHD children often do not sleep well and have allergy eyes. Something is going on in the body that is not detected by RAST tests.

University of Florida research has tied milk protein (not lactose) to autistic behaviors in children.

If you have a child who exhibits ADHD behaviors coupled with difficulty achieving deep sleep and the facial appearance of allergies, do yourself a favor. Take them off milk and see your pediatrician about giving the child an anithistamine before bed. Try this for about three months, and I would be willing to bet you will have a different child.

Mrs GBC and I fought this fight. There is much the medical community know but will not tell. We wish we had known 19 years ago what we know now.

17 posted on 03/19/2006 5:11:34 PM PST by gov_bean_ counter (Self appointed RNC Press Secretary for Smarmy Sound Bites.)
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To: Coleus

Tuna sammiches > Ritalin™


18 posted on 03/19/2006 5:11:53 PM PST by southernnorthcarolina (Some people are like Slinkies: totally useless, but fun to throw down a stair.)
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To: Coleus

I have a secretary with a now 27 year old son. She's been through the gambit with special schooling, diet, pharma, etc, and each time a study comes out she and her husband will do anything to see if this is finally "it" - even now. The man has a problem, it seems systemic to all those who know him. It also seems nobody really has any idea how to deal with it short or long term. Omega 3-6-9 & Flaxseed cures, go in and out of fashion.

I have also seen out of control children with intolerances (milk/lactose) and allergies (wheat/gluten), which when exposed have miraculous turnaround quality -- but that doesn't take 15 weeks per the study above.


19 posted on 03/19/2006 5:12:09 PM PST by timsbella (Mark Steyn for Prime Minister of Canada!)
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To: Coleus

THANK YOU!!


20 posted on 03/19/2006 5:13:10 PM PST by eeevil conservative (the GREATONE THINKS I'M GREAT! AND HE AGREES WITH WHATEVER I SAY!)
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