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Fish oil helps hyperactive kids1/27/2004 - Calming influence: Fish oils (omega-3 fatty acids) may help hyperactive children. Parents across the country have been fascinated by an intriguing experiment on the BBC's Child Of Our Time documentary. Professor Robert Winston has been giving daily doses of fish oil supplements containing Omega 3 fatty acids to two children, each with different behavioral problems. Three months later, the changes have been significant. One boy's aggressive behavior almost vanished and the other, once withdrawn and uncommunicative, has become popular and outgoing. The nutritional benefits of fish have always been known. During World War II, children were given cod liver oil to supplement their meager diet. More recent research has highlighted the specific benefits to the brain of the fatty acids in fish, particularly in children with behavioral or learning difficulties. "Fish and seafood are the only ready-made sources of the essential Omega 3 fatty acids EPA and DHA which we need for our brains," explains Dr Alex Richardson, a neuroscientist based at Oxford University. "If we don't get them from fish, we have to build them from other, simpler forms of the fatty acids found in green leafy vegetables and some nuts and seeds. "However, in some cases of dyslexia, dyspraxia, autism and ADHD, and even depression, the brain needs more fatty acids than average, which are not being provided in the normal diet." Fish oil improved concentration also. During trials, Dr Richardson found children with dyslexia and ADHD tendencies experienced improved concentration, decreased anxiety and a reduction in disruptive behavior, after three months of fish oils. She admits: "We don't know the exact mechanisms of why fish oils help the brain, but they do. "Parents should choose a fish oil that is high in EPA, rather than high in DHA. For any parents wondering if their children have a deficiency of fatty acids, tell-tale signs are dry and lackluster skin and hair, dry bumpy skin at the top of the arms and weak, brittle nails. Dr Richardson adds: "A lot more research needs to be done, but I hope that enough clinical trials have taken place for doctors to be able to prescribe Omega 3. "In the meantime, I don't want people to think it is a miracle cure. For most children, a healthy diet rich in fish and leafy vegetables will provide all the nutrients they need." Case Study When Hope was one year old, she would sit in her cot, legs dangling between the bars, and bang her head on the wood again and again until bruises appeared on her face. When she was two, we moved her into a bed, but she banged her head on the wall instead. We moved the bed into the middle of the room but she rocked her back up against the headboard until her back was bleeding. By three, she was running around and constantly bouncing into things. She was disruptive and uncontrollable, and would ransack every room she entered. I couldn't leave her alone for a second without something happening to her. At first, the doctor said Hope was just over-tired and that she was highly intelligent and expressing her frustrations. At four, Hope's speech was coming along, but slowly. I would ask her what she had for lunch and her response would be "yes". At school she floundered and was being bullied. I went to pick her up one day and saw one of her fellow pupils drag her off her chair. She became withdrawn and silent. Then suddenly her speech and memory practically vanished. She wouldn't keep eye contact unless I clicked my fingers at her. It was like she couldn't see me any more. Finally, I was referred to Scott Hospital, a child development centre in Plymouth, where Hope was diagnosed as dysphasic with autistic tendencies and "global learning difficulties". Dysphasia is an impairment of the organization of movement. The brain cannot process information properly and people have difficulty planning what do to next and how to do it. It also affects children's perception, thought and language. In rare cases, they can suffer a complete loss of memory, as Hope had. A woman from the dysphasia association sent me to a talk by Dr Alex Richardson about fish oils. I bought the supplements straight away and started Hope on a high dose immediately. One day Hope asked my partner how old he was. He said "42" and she started to count, "one, two, three?" all the way to 42. It was the most amazing moment. Where before she struggled to get to five, she was now sailing through numbers and beaming from ear to ear with her accomplishment. It was the first time that she had ever shown off and been proud of herself. Once she started to learn, her whole appearance changed. Before, her face looked vacant, not with it, and you couldn't get eye contact. But then she became a happy child who stood upright and looked focused. Suddenly she was engaged with the world. Her hair and skin became radiant and she looked the picture of health. Two years later, she remains a different person. It is almost as if she was blind and now she can see. Home | Products | Our Ingredients | News | Contact | Our Vision | Stretch Marks Lotion Sales & Shipping | Retailers | Privacy Policy | Legal | Links | Testimonials |
