Fish Oil

17-year-old Blake has autism.
Six months ago, his mom Claire had to hand him popcorn one kernel
at a time. Today?

“Blake, show them how you can now eat out of the bowl of
popcorn,” says Claire. “Look at you! Good job Blake.”

Three months ago, he started taking capsules of Omega-3, the
fatty acid found in fish.

“Just a few months ago, Blake probably wouldn’t have
been able to eat just a few pieces at a time. He probably would
have dumped the whole bowl out,” Claire explains.

She says, “I just noticed that he seems to be more alert,
his receptive language skills seem to be much better.”

According to new research from the University of Oxford in England,
when kids with learning problems took Omega-3, their spelling,
behavior, and concentration improved.

Claire says, “Recently I can say, ‘Blake, let’s
go to the car,’ or ‘Blake, can you pick this up?’ ‘Can
you bring the garbage up the stairs?’ which he doesn’t
know how to do. He’s done those things when I’ve just
mentioned them.”

The brain needs fatty acids but some researchers believe, kids
with autism, bi-polar, and ADHD may have problems metabolizing
these acids…and need supplements.

Page Love, a registered and licensed dietician in metro-Atlanta
says, “I’m excited about the potential for this, but
I think it’s also hard for us to see cause and effect this
early in the research game.”

They are not regulated by the FDA. Some fish oils may contain
mercury, so ask your doctor to help you choose a supplement that
is safe.

Dr. Ruth Brown, a pediatrician in metro-Atlanta says, “I
would pick a company that’s very reputable, that has been
in the business for a long time that’s selling you the supplement,
because they could be selling you just olive oil in a capsule,
you don’t know. ”

Blake is now working on new skills, like making the popcorn himself.
Claire tells him, “Put your popcorn in. No, put it in. Good
job Blake!”

While the research is preliminary, the study’s authors
suggest Omega-3 and Omega-6 supplements can help kids with dyslexia,
ADHD, autism spectrum disorders, depression, bi-polar, and developmental
coordination disorder.

In addition to Omega-3 fatty acids making a difference in the educational
development of children, Dr. William Connor says they may help in the prevention
of the following:

• Coronary heart disease and stroke
• Essential fatty acid deficiency in infancy (retinal and brain
  development)
• Autoimmune disorders (e.g., lupus and nephropathy)
• Crohn’s disease
• Cancers of the breast, colon, and prostate
• Mild hypertension
• Rheumatoid arthritis

In addition, Dr. Joseph Mercola, of the Total Health Program, says
Omega-3 also …

• Helps fight and prevent heart disease, cancer, depression, Alzheimer’s,
  arthritis, diabetes, ulcers, hyperactivity and many other diseases.
• Increases your energy level and ability to concentrate.
• Provides greater resistance to common illnesses such as flu
  and cold.
• Helps pregnant women avoid premature births, low birth weight
  and other complications.

Dieticians recommend a 2-to-1 ratio of Omega-3 acids to
Omega-6 acids. According to experts at Whole Health MD, this ratio will naturally
occur when you increase you Omega-3 intake. This can be accomplished by eating
more of the following foods, which are rich in Omega-3:

• Marine sources – Atlantic salmon and other fatty, preferably
  cold-water fish, including herring (both Atlantic and Pacific), sardines,
  Atlantic halibut, bluefish, tuna and Atlantic mackerel. The American
  Heart Association recommends that people eat tuna or salmon at least
  twice a week. As a reasonable substitute (or even an occasional alternative)
  for fresh fish, commercial fish oil capsules are available containing
  Omega-3s such as DHA and EPA.
• Wild game – Surprisingly, venison and buffalo are both good
  sources of Omega-3s and make a healthy choice for people craving
  meat. These wild game meats can be purchased through mail-order sources
  if your supermarket doesn’t carry them.
• Plant sources – Canola oil, flaxseed, flaxseed oil, walnuts
  and leafy green vegetables such as purslane are good sources of Alpha-Linolenic
  Acid (ALA), the plant-based Omega-3. A quarter-cup (one ounce) of
  walnuts supplies about two grams of plant-based Omega-3 fatty acids,
  slightly more than is found in three ounces of salmon.
• Enhanced food – In the United States, these include Omega-3
  enriched eggs; breads are sometimes enhanced in other countries.

Whole Health MD’s website provides details on the nutrients in many
of these foods, as well as recipes to include in your diet.