Pain & Stress Center Products Newsletter                     April 5, 2006

OMEGA 3's
 

Inattentiveness | Impulsiveness | Hyperactivity
 

According to English researchers, supplementing with omega 3 and omega 6 fish oils could improve behavior and attention span of teens with ADHD.  The new study supplemented teen’s ages 12 to 15 with over 90% who have moderate to severe ADHD.  ADHD afflicts boys 3 times more often than girls.  The main behaviors include inattentiveness, impulsiveness, and hyperactivity.

The teens took 6 capsules of 500 mg fish oil daily.  After 3 months, the results were impressive with inattentiveness that decreased from 94% to 17%.  Likewise, impulsivity decreased from 89% to 28%.  If this positively effects teens, then adults would benefit as well.

Fish oil contains both EPA and DHA.  EPA is postulated to increase blood flow in the body, affect hormones and the immune system that directly effect brain function. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) involved the ion channels and membranes in the brain.  This facilitates transmission of electrical signals in the brain.   A similar study using omega 3 fish oil was done with 18 to 20 months children.  The study demonstrated positive effects on behavior.  Further research is coming including the use of fish oil supplementation for food intolerant autistic children.

In another study published in the May issue of Pediatrics, children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD).  This study of 117 children ages 5-12 years, supplemented with omega-3 fatty acids, omega-06 fatty acids, a-linolenic acid, and vitamin E and evaluated after 6 months.  Reading and spelling abilities improved 9.5 months over baseline scores for these children. 

Since DCD frequently is associated with ADHD, autistic disorders, and dyslexia, supplementation with omega 3’s could mean a lifetime of benefits in improved school performance and social interaction.  

In 2000, the American Heart Association revised its Dietary Guidelines to recommend that people eat at least two servings of fatty fish per week to reduce cardiovascular disease. Currently, omega 3’s have been linked to a variety of psychological conditions such as major depression and bipolar disorder.

Research presented at the American Psychosomatic Society suggests that low blood levels of omega-3’s have a negative impact on a person’s mood and behavior.  Participants showed low blood levels of docosahexaeonic acid (DCA) were 42% more likely to report symptoms of mild to moderate depression, while patients with low levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were more likely to be in a negative mood, and were associated with high neuroticism scores.  Low levels of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) were associated with higher levels of impulsive behavior.  Their data suggests a normative affect of dietary intake of omega-3 whether by eating fish or through supplementation.

Products from Pain & Stress Center: 
Neuromins (DHA) – 250mg softgel; ProDHA – 740 mg softgel (enteric coated); Artic Omega – 700 mg softgel (lemon flavor); Fish Oil Caps – 500 mg softgel

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