ADHD: Fish oil and primrose oil increases attention, reduces hyperactivity, restlessness and impulsivity
Written by Kevin Flatt
In 1996 Purdue University researchers found that boys with low blood levels of Omega-3 fatty acids have a greater tendency to have problems with behaviour, learning and health consistent with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or (ADHD).
John R. Burgess, assistant professor of foods and nutrition at Purdue University, says boys with lower levels of omega-3 fatty acids scored higher in the frequency of many behavioural problems. (Purdue News Service).
The Purdue University study, published in the journal Physiology and Behaviour, found that the boys with lower omega-3 fatty acids exhibited a greater number of behaviour problems, temper tantrums, and sleep problems, as reported by the teachers and parents. Additionally, more learning and health problems were found in subjects with lower total omega-3 fatty acid concentrations. (Physiology and Behaviour, 59, 915-920).
In another study, published in The American journal of clinical nutrition (January 200), John R. Burgess and colleagues at Purdue University confirmed their previous findings and found that subjects with lower omega-3 fatty acids had significantly more behavioural problems, temper tantrums, and learning, health, and sleep problems than did those with high proportions of omega-3 fatty acids. (Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Jan; 71(1 Suppl): 327S-30S).
As some fish oil supplements contain high amounts of mercury it is always wise to purchase a supplement of high quality that is mercury tested and contains vitamin E.
A study published in the January 2004 issue of the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition found a statistically significant relationship between consuming fish rich in omega-3 fats and a lower hostility score in 3581 young urban white and black adults. Eating any fish rich in omega 3 fats compared to eating no omega-3-rich fish was found to drop subjects’ chances of being hostile by 12%. (Eur J Clin Nutr. 2004 Jan;58(1):24-31).
In a Japanese study carried out by Dr. Tomohito Hamazaki and colleagues and published in The Journal of clinical investigation, 41 student volunteers were given psychological testing before school started. The students were then divided into two groups. One group took a fish-oil preparation each day, the other took a placebo. Three months later, during final exams, the students were given another psychological evaluation. While the placebo group showed a sharp increase in aggressive behaviour in response to the additional stress, the group that received the DHA-rich fish oil actually experienced a substantial decline in aggression, notably during final exams, as compared with that measured at the start. (J Clin Invest. 1996 Feb 15;97(4):1129-33).
A study conducted by researchers at the University of South Australia and CSIRO Nutrition, in Adelaide, Australia, involving 145 children with ADHD highlights the importance of omega-3 fatty acids in the treatment of children with ADHD.
PhD student Natalie Sinn conducted the research which involved children with ADHD-related problems and found her results mirror a similar investigation conducted in Durham, England where that study found fish oil supplements improved concentration and cognition in children diagnosed with attention problems. (Radio Australia abc.net.au/ra/innovations 24/706)
“The parents of children who spent 15 weeks on a course of capsules containing a combination of fish oil and primrose oil reported increased attention and reduced hyperactivity, restlessness and impulsivity,” says Natalie Sinn from the University of South Australia and CSIRO Nutrition. The same improvements were not reported from children who took a placebo. In addition, in the Australian trial, children taking the fish oil supplement also did better on tests of attention, and improved their vocabulary. (Medical News Today 21/9/05).
An article by Fiona Macrae, published in the Daily Mail (UK) 20/06/06, reported that Natalie Sinn had said that many of the parents who had children who showed improvements commented that their children were calmer, were doing better at school and were able to concentrate longer and were therefore reading more. She added that week-on-week improvements were still being seen at the end of the study - suggesting the results of an even longer course of treatment, may be even more dramatic. In addition, the article quoted Dr Madeleine Portwood, the educational psychologist who led the Durham England trial, as saying: "This study shows once again that omega 3 can have a very beneficial effect for children with concentration and behaviour problems.” (Daily Mail 20/06/06).
Sixty per cent of the brain is composed of fats, with the most important being polyunsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. The right balance of these two types of fatty acids is important for the healthy functioning of many parts of the body.
Not all supplements are equal.
The study from the University of South Australia used a supplement that was derived from high-EPA marine fish oil and virgin evening primrose oil (GLA). The capsules formulation contained Eicosapentaenoicacid (EPA), Docosahexaenioc acid (DHA), GLA, and vitamin E. The Dr Madeleine Portwood trial, conducted in Durham, England, also used capsules in the same doses (omega-3 and omega-6, 3000 milligrams per day).
The balancing effect of the antioxidant vitamin E contained in the supplement prevents the extra essential fatty acids from actually increasing damage to cell membranes caused by lipid peroxidation. Lipid peroxides are the products of the chemical damage done by free radicals.
As mentioned previously, as some fish oil supplements contain high amounts of mercury it is always wise to purchase a supplement of high quality that is mercury tested and contains vitamin E.
Natalie has suggested that an inadequate diet could cause ADHD. “I think parents who want to look into this should make their doctor aware perhaps of this research so that they can make an informed decision about it,” she said. (ABC News Online June 21, 2006).
Nick Giovannelli, from the Hyperactive Children’s Support Group, said medication should not be given without considering alternative therapies. He said: “This new study adds to the mounting evidence that nutrition is safer and more effective than stimulant medication.” (Manchester Evening News 20/6/06).
Back to nature - and to nutrition.
References
Stevens, L. J., Zentall, S. S., Abate, M. L., et al (1996) Omega 3 fatty acids in boys with behaviour, learning and health problems. Physiology and Behaviour, 59, 915-920.
Burgess, J R : Stevens, L : Zhang, W : Peck, L. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Jan; 71(1 Suppl): 327S-30S.
Iribarren C, Markovitz JH, Jacobs DR, Schreiner PJ, Daviglus M, Hibbeln JR. Dietary intake of n-3, n-6 fatty acids and fish: Relationship with hostility in young adults-the CARDIA study. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2004 Jan;58(1):24-31.
Hamazaki T, Sawazaki S, Itomura M, Asaoka E, Nagao Y, Nishimura N, Yazawa K, Kuwamori T, Kobayashi M. The effect of docosahexaenoic acid on aggression in young adults. A placebo-controlled double-blind study. J Clin Invest. 1996 Feb 15;97(4):1129-33.
Copyright 2007 KevinFlatt. Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is presented for information purposes only and is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. It cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment.
