ADHD Causes - Omega-3 Deficiency
However, our brain is made up of a specific fat called omega-3 fatty acids, an essential fatty acid that our body cannot replicate. Our only sources of omega-3 fatty acids are deep-sea fish and green vegetables, but today's modern diet of microwaveable meals and just-add-water convenience leaves very little room for these foods. What's more, instant food contains a lot of hydrolyzed vegetable oils, trans-fats, and saturated fats, all of which keep our body from using what little omega-3 fatty acids it can get. According to nutrition experts, over 50% of Americans have omega-3 fatty acid deficiencies, with 20% having so little that tests cannot detect any omega-3 acids in their bodies!
Since omega-3 fatty acids make up the structure of the brain, it is not surprising that a deficiency in this contributes to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Besides providing the framework of the brain, omega-3 fatty acids are needed by the cerebral cortex, the area of the brain that handles reasoning, memory, and other higher functions. Developmental experts also believe that a lack of omega-3 fatty acids may be related to the other behavioral and health problems commonly experienced by those with ADHD, such as irritability, mood swings, poor memory, poor blood circulation food allergies, eczema, fatigue, and lethargy.
Several studies dating all the way back to the 1980's have explored the relationship between an omega-3 deficiency and ADHD, as well as possible therapeutic interventions with omega-3 supplements. The results of these studies are often astounding, with children scoring higher in mathematics, reading, attention, and hyperactivity ratings after several weeks of supplementation. Although not everyone with ADHD has an omega-3 deficiency, making this part of your child's diet may be just as effective as pharmaceutical drugs. In fact, medication alone cannot help a child overcome the disorder because it fails to treat the environmental factors that trigger the symptoms. Often, nutrition is the culprit behind childhood behavioral problems, and dietary adjustments help overcome these issues naturally.
An omega-3 deficiency may be corrected by removing all trans-fats, saturated fats, and vegetable oils from your child's diet, and replacing these with green leafy vegetables, seafood, and flax or flaxseed. Flax contains the most important omega-3 fatty acid, called alpha-linolic acid (ALA), which the body synthesizes to produce two other kinds of omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Seafood is a rich source of EPA, which can be synthesized into DHA. Besides organic food sources, EPA and DHA can be obtained through fish oil supplements. If you plan to take this route, make sure you choose one with a high EPA-to-DHA ratio, which is known to work best for individuals with ADHD. Supplement the fish oil treatment with vitamin E, which prevents the omega-3 oils from oxidizing and degenerating before they can be utilized by the brain.
Dr. Yannick Pauli is an expert on natural approaches to ADHD and the author of the popular self-help home-program The Unritalin Solution. He is Director of the Centre Neurofit in Lausanne, Switzerland and has a passion taking care of children with ADHD. Click on the link for more great information about adhd causes.
Since omega-3 fatty acids make up the structure of the brain, it is not surprising that a deficiency in this contributes to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Besides providing the framework of the brain, omega-3 fatty acids are needed by the cerebral cortex, the area of the brain that handles reasoning, memory, and other higher functions. Developmental experts also believe that a lack of omega-3 fatty acids may be related to the other behavioral and health problems commonly experienced by those with ADHD, such as irritability, mood swings, poor memory, poor blood circulation food allergies, eczema, fatigue, and lethargy.
Several studies dating all the way back to the 1980's have explored the relationship between an omega-3 deficiency and ADHD, as well as possible therapeutic interventions with omega-3 supplements. The results of these studies are often astounding, with children scoring higher in mathematics, reading, attention, and hyperactivity ratings after several weeks of supplementation. Although not everyone with ADHD has an omega-3 deficiency, making this part of your child's diet may be just as effective as pharmaceutical drugs. In fact, medication alone cannot help a child overcome the disorder because it fails to treat the environmental factors that trigger the symptoms. Often, nutrition is the culprit behind childhood behavioral problems, and dietary adjustments help overcome these issues naturally.
An omega-3 deficiency may be corrected by removing all trans-fats, saturated fats, and vegetable oils from your child's diet, and replacing these with green leafy vegetables, seafood, and flax or flaxseed. Flax contains the most important omega-3 fatty acid, called alpha-linolic acid (ALA), which the body synthesizes to produce two other kinds of omega-3 fatty acids: eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Seafood is a rich source of EPA, which can be synthesized into DHA. Besides organic food sources, EPA and DHA can be obtained through fish oil supplements. If you plan to take this route, make sure you choose one with a high EPA-to-DHA ratio, which is known to work best for individuals with ADHD. Supplement the fish oil treatment with vitamin E, which prevents the omega-3 oils from oxidizing and degenerating before they can be utilized by the brain.
Dr. Yannick Pauli is an expert on natural approaches to ADHD and the author of the popular self-help home-program The Unritalin Solution. He is Director of the Centre Neurofit in Lausanne, Switzerland and has a passion taking care of children with ADHD. Click on the link for more great information about adhd causes.
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