Fish Oil: Omega 3 Fish Oil for ADD/ADHD
Posted by Michael Byrd on Aug 29 2007 | Tagged as: Fish Oil
Boys don’t get ADD/ADHD because of a deficiency of Ritalin. But if that’s what he’s taking, he’s not doing anything to eliminate the cause of his problems. He’s only dealing with the symptoms of his condition, which will most likely continue to persist.
If he wants to really eliminate the cause of ADD/ADHD and live a drug free life, maybe, just like your car, he should get a good oil change? Because a lot of experts now think an oil change is exactly what he needs.
Incidentally, when I say boys, I’m not being prejudiced. It’s just a fact that three out of four youngsters diagnosed with ADD/ADHD are boys. But I’m off the subject. Let’s get back to why a good oil change maybe just what the doctor didn’t order.
You see, a major problem of the standard American diet is most people, especially children, are getting way too much omega 6 oils and trans fats in their diet. Where does omega 3 trans fat come from? Omega 6 oil is found mainly in corn, soy, canola, safflower and sunflower cooking oils. Trans fats, on the other hand, are found in all processed food, particularly baked goods such as cookies and cakes.
Research has shown over and over again, that excessive omega 6 oil and trans fats are very bad for everyone’s health – especially children. Theses bad oils interfere with the optimum development and functioning of a child’s brain and are significantly linked to the problems of ADD and ADHD, as well as dyslexia, depression and psychosis. Omega 6 oil and trans fats are also one of the major causes of childhood obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer.
Another problem is while most children are getting far too much omega 6 and trans fats in their diet, they’re also not getting enough healthy omega 3 oil DHA and EPA fatty acids, which are primarily found in such fatty fish as salmon and sardines. In fact, 85% of Americans are deficient in DHA and EPA. Over 20% are so deficient no DHA or EPA even shows up in blood tests.
One of the results of too much omega 6 oil and trans fats and too little omega 3 oil in the American diet is the fact that millions of children are suffering from ADD/ADHD. According to the director of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), children account for 80% of the 11 million Ritalin prescriptions in the U.S.
Ritalin is just a quick fix for the symptoms. If you want to really get to the root of the problem, you need to make changes in your diet, use extra virgin olive oil for cooking, eat less processed junk food and a lot more fatty fish. Fish has always been know to be “brain food” and now scientists know why. Almost 70% of a newborn’s and 60% of an adult’s brain is composed of DHA and EPA fatty acids and these omega 3 fish oils are essential for mental and emotional health, both for children and adults.
So start feeding your children fish at least two or three times a week. Better yet, also give them a good daily fish oil supplement. You’ll get better results with none of the negative side effects that are usually connected with commonly prescribed anti-depressants and other medications.
Wouldn’t it be nice to see your kid running as smoothly and efficiently as your car?
