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Omega-3 Fats Improve Attention, Behavior
and Intelligence |
Several studies have demonstrated that
children with lower levels of omega-3 fatty
acids in their bloodstream have
significantly more behavioral
problems, temper tantrums, and learning,
health, and sleep problems than do those
children with high proportions of those
fatty acids. In a similar study, 53 children
with ADHD had significantly lower
proportions of key fatty acids (AA, EPA, and
DHA) in their blood than did 43 control
subjects. Children with lower omega-3 levels
had lower behavioral assessment scores (Conners'
Parent Rating Scale) and teacher scores
of academic abilities.
The researchers speculated that an
inefficient conversion of polyunsaturated
fatty acids to AA and DHA may have been a
significant factor in the lower levels of
those fats in ADHD children. In one study,
the researchers showed that children with
ADHD were breast-fed less often as infants
than were the control children. They assume
that the high levels of DHA in breast milk
could be responsible for better performance
later in life since infants are inefficient
at converting polyunsaturated fats from
other sources into the valuable omega-3 fat
DHA that is essential for brain development.
Early childhood breast-feeding has been
associated with higher intelligence and high
school attainment in later childhood, and in
15 and 18 year-olds. A study published in
2002 also showed a significant association
between intelligence levels in adults and
the duration of their breastfeeding as
infants.
How to improve attention and behavior
The take home message from these reports is
to feed your children natural foods (whole
grains, fruits, and vegetables). Eliminate
refined sugar and chemicals from the diet.
Avoid polyunsaturated oils (corn, safflower,
canola, etc.) and partially hydrogenated
oils (in most cookies, chips, and crackers).
Give children an omega-3 supplement in the
form of cod liver oil (1 tspn per 50 lbs of
body weight) or a high DHA fish oil or
Neuromins algae capsule (100-250 mg DHA).
For children with attention or learning
problems also add 100-200 mg of
phosphatidylserine (derived from soy
lecithin) to also improve nerve function.
References:
Harwood LJ, Fergusson DM. Breasfeeding and
later cognitive and academic outcomes.
Pediatrics 1998; 101:1-7.
Lanting CI, Fidler V, Huisman M, Touwen BC,
Boersma ER. Neurological differences between
9-year-old children fed breast-milk or
formula-milk as babies. Lancet
1994;334:1319–22.
Mitchell EA, Aman MG, Turbott SH, Manku M.
Clinical characteristics and serum essential
fatty acid levels in hyperactive children.
Clin Pediatr 1987;26:406–11.[Medline]
Mortensen EL, Michaelsen KF, Sanders SA,
Reinisch JM, The association between
duration of breastfeeding and adult
intelligence. JAMA 2002; 287:2365-71.
Rodgers B. Feeding in infancy and later
ability and attainment: a longitudinal
study. Develop Med Child Neurol 1978;
20:421-25.
Stevens LJ, Zentall SS, Deck JL, et al.
Essential fatty acid metabolism in boys with
attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Am
J Clin Nutr 1995;62:761–8.[Abstract]
Stevens LJ, Zentall SS, Abate ML, Kuczek T,
Burgess JR. Omega-3 fatty acids in boys with
behavior, learning, and health problems.
Physiol Behav 1996;59:915–20.[Medline] |
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ABOUT THE
AUTHOR: Dr. Neustaedter has practiced
homeopathy and oriental medicine for over 25
years, specializing in child health care. An
accomplished and well-recognized author, he
has written The Vaccine Guide: Risks and
Benefits for Children and Adults (North
Atlantic Books, 2002), a book that helps
consumers make informed choices about
vaccination. His new book, Child Health
Guide: Holistic Pediatrics for Parents
(North Atlantic Books, 2005), represents a
state of the art guide to raising children
with natural medical care. He can be reached
through his extensive website at
www.cure-guide.com. |
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Reprinted
with permission from the Holistic
Pediatric Association website (www.hpakids.org).
The HPA is a non-profit, educational
organization that unites parents and
health professionals in the common goal
of improving and transforming pediatric
medicine into a safe, nurturing, and
sensible holistic health care system for
children. The HPA welcomes all health
care providers, health care
providers-in-training, and students as
professional members. We welcome parents
and the public to subscribe to our free
e-newsletter, visit our extensive
article library, parenting forums,
health professional directory, and other
online resources. |
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