A specific supplement of fish oil and evening primrose oil was used in one study. The results showed improvements with hyperactivity, inattentiveness, ability to think clearly, and overall behavior in children with ADHD who were 7 to 12 years old.
Supplementing with omega-3s eases hyperactivity. Analyzing data from 16 studies on ADHD and omega-3s, researchers at Oregon Health & Science University found that supplementing the diet with omega-3s consistently lessens hyperactivity, as evaluated by parents and teachers.
Fish oil has many physical and mental health benefits, one of which may be to help reduce anxiety for some people.
According to the same meta-analysis cited above, the beneficial effects of Omega-3 on ADHD symptoms are evident when using doses equal to or greater than 500 mg/day. In practice, some providers recommend using 500 mg/day in children under the age of 12 and 1000 mg/day in those over 12 years.
Fish, especially oily fish, is the main dietary source of omega- 3 fatty acids. Suggested benefits of these essential fatty acids include roles in cognition, brain development, visual acuity, ADHD, autism, behaviour and intelligence.
Some studies suggest that omega-3 supplements can improve inattention and other symptoms in kids with ADHD. For example, one study found that 3 months of omega-3 supplementation improved symptoms in a quarter of kids and teens with ADHD; by 6 months, half the kids had shown improvements.
How Quickly Will I See Benefits After Taking Fish Oil or Omega-3 Supplements for ADHD? If you up your omega-3 intake (either via supplement or diet), don't expect to see an improvement in symptoms overnight, Arnold says. Give it up to about three months, he says.
People with ADHD have higher chances of being nutrient deficient than the average person. People with ADHD are twice as likely to suffer iron-deficiency anemia compared to members of the general population. 78.4% of children with ADHD are deficient in vitamin D compared to 48% of children without ADHD.
Vitamin B & C
Finally, supplementing vitamins B and C can also help alleviate ADD and ADHD symptoms. Vitamin C, like zinc, iron, and magnesium, is used to produce neurotransmitters like dopamine. Additionally, vitamin B deficiency is linked to irritability and fatigue in children.
Energy Boost
Getting plenty of omega-3 fatty acids by taking fish oil capsules may help boost your energy levels. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, consuming too few omega-3s can lead to fatigue, mood swings and depression.
Omega-3s support brain cell health, facilitate communication within your brain, boost blood flow, and support cognition. Without enough omega-3s, your brain can't function at its best. Common signs of omega-3 deficiency include brain fog, poor memory, and difficulty concentrating.
Certain essential oils — like rosemary, frankincense, and vetiver — can help calm hyperactivity or boost focus.
Studies show that omega-3 supplementation may have long-term neurodevelopmental effects that can reduce antisocial and aggressive behaviour problems in children.
Generally, fish oil does not produce results very quickly. Most people will start to see benefits after taking fish oil daily for a time between four weeks and three months. It is unlikely, however, that you will discontinue fish oil after this duration of time, even if you do start to see benefits.
ADHD is associated with abnormally low levels of the neurotransmitters transmitting between the prefrontal cortical area and the basal ganglia i.e., dopamine and noradrenaline. Dopamine is closely associated with reward centers in the brain, and also interacts with other potent neurotransmitters to regulate mood.
Five case-control studies reported the OR for developing ADHD based on vitamin D status; the meta-analysis of their data revealed that lower vitamin D status is significantly associated with the likelihood of ADHD (OR: 2.57; 95% CI: 1.09, 6.04; I2 = 84.3%).
The cause(s) and risk factors for ADHD are unknown, but current research shows that genetics plays an important role. Recent studies link genetic factors with ADHD. In addition to genetics, scientists are studying other possible causes and risk factors including: Brain injury.
For example, omega-3s can easily travel through the brain cell membrane and interact with mood-related molecules inside the brain. They also have anti-inflammatory actions that may help relieve depression.
Improvement was only seen in children who already had been taking a stimulant medication to treat ADHD and then added the omega-3 fatty acid supplement. Dietary supplements that contain omega-3 fatty acids — the most common is fish oil — generally are considered safe.
Healthy levels of magnesium in the blood can help relax individuals with ADHD. Some small studies8 have shown that adding magnesium supplements decreases some symptoms of ADHD.
Equazen Pro, a new Omega-3 supplement, manages omega-3 fatty acid deficiency to nutritionally support focus and attention in children with ADHD or ADHD-type symptoms. It was formulated to address a LC-PUFA deficiency caused by genetic abnormalities that is linked to ADD-type symptoms.
“On average, those in the DHA group scored 3.5 points higher on the IQ scale than those in the control group,” Dr. Gould said. “These very promising results suggest DHA has the potential to improve cognitive performance when administered via emulsion for infants born before 29 weeks' gestation.” What is this?
Consuming omega-3 nutrients affect the gut and contribute to relieving symptoms of ASD via the gut-brain axis. There is no scientific proof that such a benefit occurs for those with speech apraxia. Therefore, before introducing any supplements to a child, parents should extensively study them.