You’ve heard people talking about essential oils at the soccer games, your mother has given you a sample, and EO information is consuming your Facebook feed. But this post isn’t about those kinds of oils, although we’re going to do a post about soon. (Add your comments on the subject here, please.) This post is about another oil that is truly essential to the human body – Omega-3 fatty acids.
There’s been a long debate about whether or not Omega-3 fatty acids have an effect on ADHD symptoms. Last month, a brief was released that once again suggested that they absolutely do. In the study, researchers gave a daily dose of 650 mg of EPA/DHA or a placebo to 79 boys, half with ADHD, and half without. In a nutshell, the results indicated that attention was improved for both groups.
So what does this mean? Hang on for some geekiness…Studies have shown that ADHD kids have lower than normal levels of Omega 3’s. Omega-3 acids are something that are essential for cell membranes, and to make the brain work better. Omega 3’s also reduce inflammation, which is the root of a lot of medical problems. Our bodies can’t make Omega-3 acids; it gets it from food. There are three kinds of Omega-3 acids: ALA, EPA, and DHA. EPA and DHA are found in oily fish like salmon, mackarel, and tuna. ALA comes from nuts, seeds, and leafy vegetables.
It’s no secret that diet has a huge effect on our health. I got my basic understanding of the whole Omega-3 story from the book The LCP Solution. After reading it, we put our boys on a supplement. Three children does not a study make, but we saw improvement in our boys when they took Neuro-MRM, which was recommended in the book, but has sadly been discontinued. (Another MRM supplement recommended in the book is MRM’s Attend! Available from Amazon through that affiliate link.)
The bottom line is this. It’s something to consider for your family. You can start incorporating more Omega 3’s in your diet, and if you and your doctor agree, Omega 3 supplements may be in order.
It’s just another tool that you can try in the quest to get your children to focus more and pay attention!
Omega-3 Menu
Baked Salmon
1. Dry salmon with a paper towel.
2. Coat it in oil.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Place the fish skin side up in a hot cast iron skillet and let it cook until it stops sticking to the pan – about 4 minutes. (Did you know cast iron adds iron to your food?)
5. Turn fish over, and put into a 375 degree oven for about 7 minutes, or until it’s almost as done as you want.
Spinach/Romaine Salad with Walnuts
Add your favorite salad veggies or fruit, and top with a simple lemon/olive oil/garlic dressing.
Baked Cauliflower
Slice into florets, toss in olive, add sea salt and bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Sprinkle with lemon juice. This is one of our favorites!
*See Reduced Symptoms of Inattention after Dietary Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation in Boys with and without Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder published on the National Institute of Health website.