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By
Dr. Burgess
Children with attention-deficit
hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have problems paying attention,
listening to instructions, and completing tasks; they also
fidget and squirm, are hyperactive, blurt out answers, and
interrupt others.
It is conservatively
estimated that 3-5% of the school-age population has ADHD.
Although drugs, such as Ritalin, are frequently used to treat
ADHD, they are fraught with complications. Disadvantages include
possible side effects, including decreased appetite and growth,
insomnia, increased irritability, and rebound hyperactivity
when the drug wears off.
One would not expect
to find that a single cause or even a handful of factors could
explain why ADHD appears to be so rampant in our society.
Because it is accepted that both genetic and environmental
factors play a role in ADHD, many other factors-both intrinsic
and extrinsic-could influence an individual's fatty acid status.
Inefficient
Conversion of ALA (Flax Oil) To EPA And DHA
A possible cause
for the low fish oil status of the ADHD children may be impaired
conversion of the fatty acid precursors LA and ALA to their
longer and more highly unsaturated products, such as EPA and
DHA (fish oil fats).
It appears that
children with ADHD just are not able to chemically convert
the plant omega-3, ALA to fish oil very well. The problem
is further worsened when omega-6 fats are consumed and the
ideal omega-6:3 ratio of 1:1, progresses to the typical standard
American ratio of 15:1. Many of these children have ratios
which are even worse and can be as high as 50:1.
This study provides
the research evidence supporting the use of the omega-3 fats
found in fish oils to effectively address the underlying deficiency
that is present in most of these children and appears to be
contributing to the ADHD.
American
Journal Clinical Nutrition January 2000:71(1), 327-330
(Full Text Article)
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