Laura's Life!

Omega 3

Being teacher who deals with children in the “Early Years”, a student of Early Childhood Studies and a mother of a child with severe ADHD I am always interested in new research and developments within the child development area. I have, over the last few months researched the effects of Omega 3 on the brain activity of young children. Omega 3 can be found naturally in oily fish such as salmon but as recent information tells us this is not safe to eat regularly.

My research was carried out mainly through the Internet and educational publications. In America researchers have found that children with low blood levels of essential omega-3 fatty acids, have a greater tendency to have problems with behaviour, learning and health consistent with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or (ADHD). This made my quest for information about Omega 3 more important.

Last Tuesday I sat down to watch “A Child of our Time” (BBC1 Tuesday 9.pm). Sir Robert Winston followed a few children who had taken omega 3 supplements for three month. The effect on their concentration and attention was remarkable and their ability to take on board information dramatically increased. That finally did it for me; off I went to Boots the Chemist and bought two bottles of Omega 3 for children. I am not saying that "J" will ever be able to come off her medication, but a build up of Omega 3 may make the days off medication easer to manage for her and others. It usually takes a month for it to get into the system, so far "J" has had two doses. I will keep you posted.

Meanwhile I think I will get myself Omega 3 capsules and try out the effects on my brain activity!