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Hyperactivity and EFAs
My son is nine years old and hyperactive. I have been giving him Omega-3 fatty acids and he has improved as a result but I was wondering, what foods contain these fats and will it harm him if I give him the supplement plus more of these foods in his diet?
Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) are called essential because the body cannot make them but must get them from the diet and as you already know, research by scientists at Oxford University has shown, conclusively, that supplementing the diet with the Omega-3 and Omega-6 fats is the single most effective thing you can do to help children (and adults) with hyperactive disorders.
I say adults too because, according to American research, half of all those diagnosed as hyperactive as children go on to have social and behavioural problems beyond childhood.
Foods that are rich in the Omega-3 fats are not only few and far between, but unlikely to appeal to children which is why supplementation is the better route. They include dark leafy greens, salmon, mackerel, tuna, soybeans, pumpkin seeds, and anchovies, most of which my seven year old would turn her nose up at.
The best-selling EFA supplement in America is the Barlean’s organic range of liquids and capsules, which includes a strawberry flavour capsule for children. This entire high potency range of both flaxseed and fish oils is now available in the UK and the good news is that is that not only does it provide a more potent dosage of a form of omega-3 fat called ecosapentaenoic acid (EPA) than most competitors make, it is cheaper too.
I take the organic Omega Twin oil, which combines organic flax and borage oils, daily (£19.99 for a 350ml monthly supply) and give my daughter the mini MorEPA strawberry capsules, which cost £12.99 for 60 softgels. The only side effect of ingesting too much oil in the diet will be diarrhoea, but this is unlikely unless you are swallowing it by the bucketful. Mail order from Healthy and Essential (08700-53 6000).