Fish Oil May Curb ADHD Symptoms

MONTREAL—Adding fish oil to some child Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) sufferers may offer relief from symptoms, according to a new study from the ADHD clinic at CHU Sainte-Justine University Hospital in Montreal. Researchers studied 37 ADHD-diagnosed children between the ages of six and 11 years old who had never been on medication. Half were given fish oil capsules and the rest received a placebo. For most of the children, there was no effect after four months of supplements, but for a subgroup of the children, there were definite improvements. Using standard tests for evaluating ADHD symptoms, the researchers found 20 per cent of children were less agitated, and showed a decrease in their hyperactivity and impulsivity, which resulted in better school and social functioning.

Up to five per cent of all school-age children have symptoms of ADHD, which causes patients to have poor concentration, have trouble staying still and lose control of their impulses. Although there is no cure for ADHD, there are ways to manage its symptoms through behavior management and medications, such as Ritalin, that stimulate the brain's chemistry to make it work more efficiently. However ADHD medications can cause side effects such as dizziness or insomnia. No such side effects occurred from fish oil.

Some have theorized that omega-3 fatty acids, which are found in fish oil, are important for neurotransmission in the brain and could help to rectify the biochemical imbalances that affect those with ADHD.