DHA Supplementation May Not Help ADHD

DHA Supplementation May Not Help ADHD

ROCHESTER, Minn.--In a randomlyassigned, double blind study in the August Journal of Pediatrics (139(2):189-96, 2001) (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov), children diagnosed with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) did not show signs of improvement insymptoms after DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) supplementation. Led by Robert Voight, M.D., researchers found that in the four-month trial, 345 mg/d of DHA did not improve children's attention spans or impulsive behavior.

In contrast, another study in the April Journal of Molecular Neuroscience (16(2-3):263-72, 2001) (www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov) reported that low levels of plasma DHA may lead to such peroxisomal (catalyzing the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide) disorders as Alzheimer's disease, depression and ADHD. The researchers, from Ohio State University, concluded that a diet rich in DHA may correct these disorders.