This article provides evidence that omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFA) in the blood of children with autism are significantly lower than in other children.
Essential fatty acids (EFAs) are critical for healthy brain function, especially the communication between brain cells. To test the idea that autism can be linked to deficiencies in EFAs, the authors compared the blood levels of omega-3 and omega-6 EFAs between 15 children with autism (3-17 years old) and 18 children with mental retardation, but not autism (1-19 years old). The results showed that omega-3 fatty acids were significantly lower in children with autism, but there was no difference in omega-6 fatty acid levels between the two groups of children. Therefore, the children with autism in this study had a higher ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids than in other children. Finally, the authors review the evidence suggesting that children with autism may not be able to effectively use EFAs. This could be because an enzyme called PLA2 may be overactive in children with autism. In addition, genetic studies suggest that the gene that produces PLA2 may be linked with autism.
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