Omega-3 essential fatty acids are more important to your child's mental health than you think. Researchers have discovered that children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are deficient in docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an essential fatty acid responsible for maintaining the structure of neurons and the proper functioning of the cerebral cortex. The cerebral cortex is the region of the brain responsible for attention, memory, thought, and perceptual awareness, and omega-3 essential fatty acids make up 80% of its structure. Since the human body cannot manufacture omega-3s, we need to obtain these from the food we eat. Unfortunately, children rarely eat omega-3 rich foods, and consume too much polyunsaturated fats, saturated fats, and omega-6 fatty acids, which impede the brain's ability to absorb omega-3s.
What happens when a child has an omega-3 fatty acid deficiency? Proper nerve cell function requires that neurons, or brain cells, have fluid cell membrane. When the cell membranes have too many saturated fats and omega-6 fatty acids, they become stiff and lose their flexibility. As a result, the hardened cell membranes get in the way of proper nerve impulse transmission and neuronal signaling, which results in impulsivity, aggressive behavior, inattention, and social withdrawal.
Research shows that children with learning and behavioral problems benefit greatly from essential fatty acid supplementation. In the April 2007 issue of the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 132 children with ADHD participated in a clinical trial in which they received omega-3 fatty acids for fifteen weeks. After the clinical trial period, parents were asked to rate their children's behavior; they all showed significant improvement in nine out of fourteen behavioral scales. This study is the largest clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of omega-3 supplementation, and supports similar studies that reported improved developmental health due to omega-3 supplements.
Fortunately, omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies are easy to treat: all you need to do is eliminate foods with trans-fats, saturated fats, and omega-6 fatty acids, and replace them with fish oil supplements and omega-3 rich foods. One of the most excellent food sources of omega-3 fatty acids is flaxseed oil from the seed of the flax plant. Flaxseed oil is the best natural source of alpha-linolenic acid or ALA, the parent of the omega-3 fatty acid family. When synthesized, ALA is converted into DHA and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), two forms of essential omega-3 fatty acids needed for proper brain function.
You can buy flaxseed oil from health stores in soft gel capsule form or in oil form, but make sure you only purchase them from reputable manufacturers. Most health stores receive their flaxseed oil from third-party distributors, which means it will take weeks or months for the product to reach their shelves. Flaxseed oil is very sensitive to heat, light, and oxygen, which means it could lose its omega-3 content by the time you purchase it.
To ensure that your child receives bio-available omega-3 from flaxseed oil, look for a manufacturer that presses fresh flaxseed oil only upon order. Since flaxseed oil is vulnerable to light, supplements should always come in dark bottles. To ensure freshness, buy only an amount that your child can consume in 6-8 weeks. Though large bottles of flaxseed oil might seem like a better deal, the remaining oil won't be of any use to your child after it has perished. The dosage for children is one tablespoon per 100 lbs.
Finally, flaxseed oil alone cannot treat ADHD. For your child to recover from ADHD and live a normal life, ask a holistic health care practitioner to help you come up with a comprehensive ADHD management plan.
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