The Oxford-Durham study: a randomized, controlled trial of dietary supplementation with fatty acids in children with developmental coordination disorder.

* Richardson AJ,
* Montgomery P.

University Laboratory of Physiology, Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, United Kingdom.

BACKGROUND: Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) affects approximately 5% of school-aged children. In addition to the core deficits in motor function, this condition is associated commonly with difficulties in learning, behavior, and psychosocial adjustment that persist into adulthood. Read more of the article...

A randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of the effects of supplementation with highly unsaturated fatty acids on ADHD-related symptoms in children with specific learning difficulties.

Richardso AJ, and Puri BK.

University Department of Physiology, Oxford, England, UK.

The authors tested the prediction that relative deficiencies in highly unsaturated fatty acids (HUFAs) may underlie some of the behavioral and learning problems associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) by studying the effects of HUFA supplementation on ADHD-related symptoms in children with specific learning difficulties (mainly dyslexia) who also showed ADHD features. Read more of the article...

Effect of supplementation with polyunsaturated fatty acids and micronutrients on learning and behavior problems associated with child ADHD.

Sinn N, and Bryan J.

Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Reasearch Organization Human Nutrition, Adelaide, South Australia.

METHODS: Various developmental problems including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been linked to biological deficiencies in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Additionally, there is evidence that symptoms may be reduced with PUFA supplementation.

This study investigated effects of supplementation with PUFAs on symptoms typically associated with ADHD. Because nutrients work synergistically, additional effects of micronutrient supplementation were also investigated. Read more of the article...

Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Burgess, JR, et al.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2000,Vol. 71, No. 1, 327-330.

Several previous studies indicated that some physical symptoms reported in ADHD are similar to symptoms observed in essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency in animals and humans deprived of EFAs.

We reported previously that a subgroup of ADHD subjects reporting many symptoms indicative of EFA deficiency (L-ADHD) had significantly lower proportions of plasma arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid than did ADHD subjects with few such symptoms or control subjects. Read more of the article...

Essential fatty acid metabolism in boys with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder.

Burgess, JR, et al.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1995; 62;761-68.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the term used to describe children who are inattentive, impulsive, and hyperactive. The cause is unknown and is thought to be multifactorial.

Based on the work of others, we hypothesized that some children with ADHD have altered fatty acid metabolism. Read more of the article...

Omega Oils - Essential Fatty Acids Valuable in the Treatment of ADHD

The studies on Essential Fatty Acid levels in Attention Deficit Disorder subjects vs. non- ADD ADHD subjects are interesting.

The ADD ADHD groups had significantly lower concentrations of key essential fatty acids than did the control groups, and about 40% of the ADD ADHD group showed these signs of EFA deficiency:

* increased thirst,
* frequent urination,
* dry skin,
* dry or brittle hair.

Low levels of Omega 6 EFAs contributed to higher incidents of illness (colds, flu, etc.), and deficits in Omega 3 EFAs contributed to problems with learning, behavior, sleep, and temper. Read more of the article...