Some studies suggest that omega-3 supplements can improve inattention and other symptoms in kids with ADHD. For example, one study found that 3 months of omega-3 supplementation improved symptoms in a quarter of kids and teens with ADHD; by 6 months, half the kids had shown improvements.
How Quickly Will I See Benefits After Taking Fish Oil or Omega-3 Supplements for ADHD? If you up your omega-3 intake (either via supplement or diet), don't expect to see an improvement in symptoms overnight, Arnold says. Give it up to about three months, he says.
ADHD Supplement: Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Usually given in the form of fish oil, omega-3s are probably the best-researched supplement for ADHD. Numerous studies, including two meta-analyses, have found benefit in the area of hyperactivity, attention, or impulsivity.
There is some evidence that fish oil can help improve ADHD symptoms. It contains omega-3 fatty acids. Some findings suggest that fish oil supplements may improve the mental skills of children with the disorder who are 8 to 12 years old. For instance, it may help improve a child's ability to organize activities.
Intense supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids has been shown to improve mental performance. The use of omega-3 leads to higher hemoglobin oxygen saturation and total hemoglobin concentrations, suggesting an improvement in blood circulation in the brain.
Parents who give their child with ADHD omega-3 supplements often ask me what else they can do to help. A supplement I often suggest is phosphatidylserine (PS). This nutritional compound is a type of phospholipid, a fat that helps form the outer covering (membrane) of cells, including brain cells.
People with ADHD have higher chances of being nutrient deficient than the average person. People with ADHD are twice as likely to suffer iron-deficiency anemia compared to members of the general population. 78.4% of children with ADHD are deficient in vitamin D compared to 48% of children without ADHD.
Vitamin B & C
Finally, supplementing vitamins B and C can also help alleviate ADD and ADHD symptoms. Vitamin C, like zinc, iron, and magnesium, is used to produce neurotransmitters like dopamine. Additionally, vitamin B deficiency is linked to irritability and fatigue in children.
According to the same meta-analysis cited above, the beneficial effects of Omega-3 on ADHD symptoms are evident when using doses equal to or greater than 500 mg/day. In practice, some providers recommend using 500 mg/day in children under the age of 12 and 1000 mg/day in those over 12 years.
Vitamin B for ADHD: Deficiencies in B vitamins — particularly B6 — can cause irritability and fatigue in children and adults with ADHD. Adequate B6 levels can increase alertness and decrease anxiety-like symptoms. Foods high in B6 include wild-caught tuna, bananas, spinach, and salmon.
For example, omega-3s can easily travel through the brain cell membrane and interact with mood-related molecules inside the brain. They also have anti-inflammatory actions that may help relieve depression. More than 30 clinical trials have tested different omega-3 preparations in people with depression.
Healthy levels of magnesium in the blood can help relax individuals with ADHD. Some small studies8 have shown that adding magnesium supplements decreases some symptoms of ADHD.
Studies show that omega-3 supplementation may have long-term neurodevelopmental effects that can reduce antisocial and aggressive behaviour problems in children.
The cause(s) and risk factors for ADHD are unknown, but current research shows that genetics plays an important role. Recent studies link genetic factors with ADHD. In addition to genetics, scientists are studying other possible causes and risk factors including: Brain injury.
ADHD is associated with abnormally low levels of the neurotransmitters transmitting between the prefrontal cortical area and the basal ganglia i.e., dopamine and noradrenaline. Dopamine is closely associated with reward centers in the brain, and also interacts with other potent neurotransmitters to regulate mood.
As you know, one trademark of ADHD is low levels of the neurotransmitter dopamine — a chemical released by nerve cells into the brain. Due to this lack of dopamine, people with ADHD are "chemically wired" to seek more, says John Ratey, M.D., professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School in Boston.
How long does it take for omega-3's to work? Levels of omega-3's build up quickly in the body once you take supplements. But it may take 6 weeks to 6 months to see a significant change in mood, pain, or other symptoms.
Omega-3 is important for our brain throughout life, from early cognitive development in foetuses to learning and memory in adults. Brain cells with high levels of omega-3 in their membranes are thought to be better at communicating with other cells, an important process for brain function.
Dietary supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids increases dopamine levels and D2 receptor binding, and lowers monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) activity in the prefrontal cortex and D2 receptor binding in the striatum (Chalon et al., 1998).