DHA improves reading and writing skills in ADHD sufferers
ADHD: Omega 3 DHA to improve reading and writing skills
High levels of Omega 3 DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) in red blood cells improve the reading and writing skills of children affected by attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (or ADHD syndrome). A study by researchers from the Australian Technology Network Centre for Metabolic Fitness (Australia), published in the journal Nutrition1 , highlights this association. According to the authors, this research confirms the hypothesis that increasing Omega-3 intake can improve attention, literacy, and behavioral problems in some cases of ADHD syndrome.
Omega-3: a help against ADHD
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for nervous system development: their deficiency may be associated precisely with ADHD. Some studies have shown that the combined intake of Omega-3 and Omega-6 improves cognitive abilities and behavioral disorders in children affected by this syndrome and with reading difficulties, especially in cases of dyslexia. This new research further analyzed this aspect by administering Omega-3 to 90 children aged 9 to 12 with ADHD disorders. The participants were divided into 3 groups:
- the first received 4 capsules per day of a oil rich in Omega-3 EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), totaling 1,109 milligrams of EPA and 108 milligrams of DHA;
- the second received capsules rich in DHA, totaling 264 milligrams of EPA and 1,032 milligrams of DHA daily;
- the third took 1,467 milligrams daily of linoleic acid (an Omega-6).
A distinct role for EPA and DHA
After 4 months, the researchers observed an improvement in reading ability only in children whose DHA levels in red blood cells had increased. Furthermore, the parents of these children reported that the oppositional behavior, typical of those affected by this syndrome, was reduced. The benefits of increased DHA levels were particularly high in children with learning difficulties. These children were able to read and write better and had fewer attention problems. Their parents also observed a reduction in oppositional behavior, hyperactivity, and more generally in ADHD symptoms. The effects of EPA intake were different: higher levels of this Omega-3 in red blood cells improved anxiety and shyness. According to the authors, these results suggest that EPA and DHA both have beneficial but distinct effects.
The need for confirmation
The researchers commented on the results obtained, emphasizing that the discrepancies in the scientific literature suggest that to achieve significant benefits, attention must be paid to the dose of Omega-3 administered. What seems certain is that children suffering from ADHD who also have difficulty reading and writing could benefit from the intake of these fatty acids.
Source:
1. Milte CM, Parletta N, Buckley JD, Coates AM, Young RM, Howe PR, “Eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids, cognition, and behavior in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: A randomized controlled trial”, Nutrition. 2012 Jun;28(6):670-7. Epub 2012 Apr 25
