Attention Deficiency Hyperactivity Disorder has become much more commonplace these recent years, as symptoms have become more familiar to medical experts. It has become recognized as a common disorder of a child’s behaviour, affecting almost 5% of school children, with the diagnosis mostly made for boys.
Children diagnosed with ADHD are typically observed as hardly keeping still, talking incessantly, having trouble following instructions, and being more active than their peers, among others. The condition typically begins during childhood, estimated at the age of four. Of course, a formal diagnosis is done by certified professionals, although there is still currently no specific test to detect it. The symptoms may actually also be caused by other conditions. Typically, diagnosis comes about from the presence of the physical symptoms, while behavioural signs also give a strong clue.
The causes of ADHD have not yet been discovered, although speculations abound about hereditary issues or environmental causes. Studies also indicate that the condition occurs as the child’s brain develops. An interesting fact is that there has been a trend moving toward low levels of omega 3 fatty acids in the blood of children diagnosed with the condition. This has caused scientists to question the impairment of proper metabolism of fatty acids as a possible cause of ADHD, although the speculation also comes that it may have been caused by ADHD instead. Also, some studies have shown that boys diagnosed with ADHD tended to have smaller prefrontal cortex in the brain.
In any case, while the typical treatment for the condition involves much psychotherapy and some medication, home remedies that utilize a supplementation with fish oil have been resorted to, with some reported benefits. Of course, this is still done in line with a strong partnership between the parents, the child, and their doctor. The doctor will typically require regular follow-ups to check on the side effects of medication, any improvement in the condition, as well as goals that the family has for the child. Stimulants are the typical drug given for children with ADHD, which aim to make the child calmer.
In terms of home remedies, fish oil has garnered much popularity these recent years for its health benefits, and ADHD is apparently no exception. While there is no scientifically recommended dose of fish oil for ADHD, the typical dosage used is between 1 and 2 grams. This may come about by giving an ADHD child a diet high in omega 3 fatty acids, such as fatty fish, or by giving a supplement.
Omega 3 fatty acids are known to play a crucial role in the central nervous system, which includes the spinal cord and spine. The human brain is made of more than 60% fat, which comes from the diet. This means that the composition of one’s diet can have a direct influence on the composition of his central nervous system, as well as cellular membranes. The right level of omega 3 fatty acids has reportedly provided a good mix of rigidity and fluidity in the person’s cellular membranes, resulting in proper functioning.
In addition to this function, omega 3 fatty acids are also highly likely a major stimulant for the proper regulation of the release of dopamine: low levels of dopamine have been associated with ADHD, and more specifically, in the basal ganglia and prefrontal cortex, the regulations of whose functions are also helped by omega 3 fatty acids.
However, omega 3 fatty acids supplementation in children with ADHD has not been approved as a primary treatment, as overdose of the supplement may have a negative impact on proper blood clotting. This is why a qualified health professional should monitor the intake of fish oils. It is even more important to consult your doctor when taking alongside anticoagulants, or when used before dental work or surgeries.
The safer way to consume fish oils would therefore be by increasing the intake of fatty fish in one’s diet. In that case, be sure to choose fish that contain low levels of mercury, and to limit the intake of fish with high mercury levels, as this metal is toxic in high amounts.
In any case, if your child is diagnosed with ADHD, be sure to express your interest in supplementing with fish oil with your doctor, as he can give you the proper guidelines and track the progress with you.
