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