Feed the Brain w/ Omega-3 Fatty Acids

If you've taken a gander around the Attention Deficit Help Center web site, you know I am a big fan of Omega-3 fatty acids for improved learning and decreased Attention Deficit Disorder symptoms.

There are many studies that point to these advantages. A British study released this week confirms what previous studies revealed; fatty acids are good for the brain.

This new study revealed that 40 percent of children showed significant improvements in reading and spelling when given fish oil supplements. Fish oils contain omega-3s that are essential for brain development. Modern processed diets are lacking in the Omega-3 fatty acids.

This study focused on 120 "underachievers" between the ages of 5 and 12. The study group of children were believed to have dyspraxia, a condition that encompasses problems with motor skills and coordination. Dyspraxia often overlaps with dyslexia, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and autism.

About one-third of the children in the study demonstrated enough problems to classify them as ADHD. Half of the children analyzed were given fish oil supplements over three months, while the other half were given placebos of olive oil.

The children who took fish oil supplements made about three times the amount of progress in their reading skills than those who took the placebo.

After three months, the placebo group was also given the fish oil supplements. Similar boosts in progress were seen in the placebo group when they switched to active supplements.

Also, after three months of taking fish oil, half of them children who classified as ADHD showed such significant improvements that they no longer fell into this category.

According to this study, children suffer behavioral and learning disorders because their diets are deficient in vital nutrients needed for their brains to function normally.

The results of this study were published in the May 2005 issue of "Pediatrics" and at Guardian.co.uk, posted on May 2, 2005. If your child is experiencing learning difficulties and you are uncomfortable putting the child on stimulant medication, you might want to try using a quality supplement like Attend that is heavy on the Omega-3 fatty acids.