Omega 3 fatty acids have been shown to decrease hyperactivity and improve attention in those with ADHD. Although Omega 3 fatty acids are not a replacement for medications, a lower dosage of ADHD medications may be sufficient if coupled with daily Omega 3 fatty acid intake. Read my blog post from 9-3-17, https://wendyphillips.weebly.com/nutritionforadhd/do-omega-3-fatty-acid-supplements-really-improve-adhd, to learn more about this subject.
Omega 3 fatty acids are found in foods, but people with ADHD may not eat these foods very often. Fish oil supplements are popular and provide Omega 3 fatty acids, so I am often asked which supplement is the best or how to choose the right one. To my knowledge, there are no supplements on the market that meet the minimum requirements in one pill to achieve the therapeutic benefit found in studies, so here are some tips to help you decide on which one might be best.
1. There is more than one type of Omega 3 fatty acids. The goal is to get 500 mg EPA and 500 mg DHA each day.
2. As you can see in the pictures, fish oil supplements usually list the content of fish oil itself, but you need to read further to see the actual content of the Omega 3 fatty acids.
3. Some fish oils don’t list whether the Omega 3s are DHA, EPA, or ALA. Don’t bother to buy those.
4. You will likely need more than one pill to get at least 500 mg DHA and 500 mg EPA. This means you may go over 500 mg of one or the other. That’s ok – at least 1,000 mg of each of those have been proven safe in adults and children, and probably higher levels are safe.
A more comprehensive review of Omega 3 fatty acids and their influence on ADHD symptoms can be found in chapter 6 of my book ‘Nutrition Management for Children with ADHD’, along with a list of foods high in Omega 3 fatty acids and a review of available supplements. You can purchase the book on Amazon, Kindle, or here: https://www.createspace.com/7056720.
Omega 3 fatty acids are found in foods, but people with ADHD may not eat these foods very often. Fish oil supplements are popular and provide Omega 3 fatty acids, so I am often asked which supplement is the best or how to choose the right one. To my knowledge, there are no supplements on the market that meet the minimum requirements in one pill to achieve the therapeutic benefit found in studies, so here are some tips to help you decide on which one might be best.
1. There is more than one type of Omega 3 fatty acids. The goal is to get 500 mg EPA and 500 mg DHA each day.
2. As you can see in the pictures, fish oil supplements usually list the content of fish oil itself, but you need to read further to see the actual content of the Omega 3 fatty acids.
3. Some fish oils don’t list whether the Omega 3s are DHA, EPA, or ALA. Don’t bother to buy those.
4. You will likely need more than one pill to get at least 500 mg DHA and 500 mg EPA. This means you may go over 500 mg of one or the other. That’s ok – at least 1,000 mg of each of those have been proven safe in adults and children, and probably higher levels are safe.
A more comprehensive review of Omega 3 fatty acids and their influence on ADHD symptoms can be found in chapter 6 of my book ‘Nutrition Management for Children with ADHD’, along with a list of foods high in Omega 3 fatty acids and a review of available supplements. You can purchase the book on Amazon, Kindle, or here: https://www.createspace.com/7056720.