Posted on 03/19/2006 4:49:53 PM PST by Coleus
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.
bump
This has been used for this purpose in the "health food" community for years.
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.
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.
if anyone knows more of the foods that are helpful please let me know....
my little angels are as wild as their mother!
ADHD does exist, but the psychiatric drugs used to treat it often do more harm than good. This discovery sounds promising.
The study sounds promising. I hope we learn more.
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.
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.
I feel like I just clicked on a Yahoo! News headline that says "Reasearchers Discover Link Between Obesity and Heart Disease."
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....
This won't ever be "widely" publicized. The pharmaceutical companies have way to much to loose.
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.
Tuna sammiches > Ritalin™
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.
THANK YOU!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.