February 20, 2002
FATTY ACIDS
IMPORTANT .... Please read the disclaimer before proceeding. I certainly can't afford for one of you to decide I'm practicing medicine without a license!!!
DISCLAIMER
This information is for educational purposes only. Much of the information is from classes and workshops I’ve taken during my 28+ years of working with ADD & ADHD students – sprinkled with my own comments, thoughts and insights.
Some information has been acquired from the INTERNET. Be aware that not all information on the WWW is accurate. Use your own judgment.
This information is not intended to replace information from your doctor, therapist, lawyer, psychologist, nutritionist or psychiatrist. Consult your child’s (or your own) doctor for additional input.
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I recently
heard from many different people asking me about essential fatty acids in the
treatment of ADD. Apparently there have been numerous discussions about
this "treatment for ADD" on a couple of discussion boards on the NET.
Hmmm.... I've done some reading on this - books, internet and so forth.
Fatty acids have been linked to everything from improving schizophrenia symptoms to boosting intelligence. Is this true? The truthful answer is MAYBE!
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Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has also been associated with a deficiency in essential fatty acids. In 1981, Colquhoun and Bunday[11] proposed that hypothesis based on a survey of hyperactive children. These children showed clinical signs consistent with a deficiency of essential fatty acids: excessive thirst, frequent urination, dry skin, and dry hair. Blood biochemical studies subsequently provided supporting evidence for the hypothesis. Deficiencies of certain fatty acids in the plasma were found in 44 children with ADHD compared with age- and sex-matched controls.[12] More recently, a randomized, double-blind treatment trial in ADHD children with clinical signs of fatty acid deficiency showed that supplementation changed the blood profile of fatty acids and was associated with reductions in ADHD symptoms.[13]
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Given
that some doctors DO recommend supplements, it seems logical that they
would also recommend fatty acids to ADDers
if it did in fact help alleviate ADD/ADHD symptoms. So,
why don't they? Well, maybe they don't have time to research this topic like
those of us in the trenches!!!
Is there a reason you should NOT take this supplement? I really don't know and wouldn't begin to recommend or pooh pooh the effectiveness of any treatment. I will simply state that you need to research this topic yourself and talk to your doctor. Could it help the ADDer in your life? I honestly don't know but decided you all need to have this information so you can decide for yourself.
What
should you do?
Use your own judgment, logic, and talk to your doctor. I will tell you that I, personally, take Flax Seed Oil and feel it helps me -- (No, I don't have any proof of that.) I take it because I read about it in a publication.
CAUTION!!!
Don't waste
valuable time trying to avoid "drugs". Drugs are vitally important to
the daily health of millions of people. Be aware, however, that there may be up
and coming research you should know about that may
may along w/ mainstream treatments) be helpful to your ADDer.
Get the proper diagnosis and treatment from a knowledgeable physician and work with that physician to attain the maximum assistance for your ADDer. It usually takes a combination of medication(s), therapy, educational interventions, parenting classes and the like.
You
might ask --- what about biofeedback, yoga, meditation?
I have been unable to find any non-biased, scientifically conducted research to PROVE any of these methods will be helpful for ADDers. I've read enough anecdotal reports, that I would be willing to try any of these three methods. I truly believe, however, that any extra attention given to an ADDer to assist them will, through the placebo affect, make things better for them (in the short haul). I suspect long term relief can only come from treatment thoroughly researched, adequately dispensed and frequently evaluated for effectiveness.
When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.
THE FREE SPELLING AIDE IS POSTED AT
http://www.egroups.com/files/ADDchoices/
Editor: BJ Madewell
Wichita, KS area
316-733-9532
FAX not available
Email ADDchoices@aol.com or ADDchoices@yahoo.com
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BJ Madewell
