Omega-3 Fatty Acid Deficiency and ADHD

PURDUE UNIVERSITY STUDY FINDS LINK BETWEEN FATTY ACID DEFICIENCY & ATTENTION DEFICIT HYPERACTIVITY DISORDER (ADHD)

2ND STUDY TO EXPAND UPON THIS PHENOMENON

Purdue University researchers found in a June, 1996 study that boys with low blood levels of essential omega-3 fatty acids, have a greater tendency to have problems with behavior, learning, and health consistent with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In response to this breakthrough, a second Purdue University study has been launched to expand upon the hypothesis (1) that oral supplementation of specific fatty acids will increase the concentrations of long chain n-6 and n-3 fatty acids in the blood and (2) that increased blood fatty acid levels will improve behavior of ADHD children.

“There are two types of fatty acids that musts be obtained from the foods– such as fish, seafood and polyunsaturated oils– we eat because the body cannot synthesize them,” commented John R. Burgess, assistant professor of food and nutrition at Purdue University, who led the first study and is heading up the follow-up research as well. He added, “Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are both essential to the body. However evidence is accumulating that a deficiency of omega-3 fatty acids may be tied to behavior problems, learning, and health problems.”