Research summaries for autism therapy: omega-3

definition of omega-3: Essential fatty acid that is found in fish and other foods, and is critical for brain function. Omega-3 fatty acids are deficient or lacking in most American diets. Many nutrionists recommend a ratio of 4:1 omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids. Most American diets have a ratio of about 15 to 1.
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Safety Considerations of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, Summarized Nov 14, 2006

This article presents an overview of the side effects of supplementation with essential fatty acids (EFAs), and concludes that there is a very low risk of significant side effects.... The author reviews the research showing that EFAs, especially omega-3 fatty acids, have had mostly positive health impacts on cholesterol, immune function, and cancerous tumors. There have been a few studies showing negative effects of EFA supplementation.... Read more...

Effects of Dietary Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Brain Gene Expression, Summarized Nov 14, 2006

This article reports on research showing that supplementation of rats (both during pregnancy and after birth) with omega-3 essential fatty acids (EFAs) affects the development of the brain. It is known that EFAs are crucial for learning and memory. This effect could be due to their direct effects on brain processes, or due to indirect effects on the expression of genes in the brain. This article tested whether genes in the brain could be affected by fatty acid supplements given to rats.... Read more...

Plasma Fatty Acid Levels in Autistic Children, Summarized Nov 14, 2006

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.... Read more...

The Oxford-Durham Study: A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Dietary Supplementation with Fatty Acids in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder, Summarized Nov 14, 2006

This article reports on the results of a well-controlled study showing that supplementation with essential fatty acids (EFAs) improves the reading, spelling, and behavior of children with dyspraxia (developmental coordination disorder or DCD).... This supplementation resulted in doses of 558 mg EPA and 174 mg DHA (both omega-3 fatty acids), as well as 60 mg alpha-linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid), and 9.6 mg vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol). Each child's motor skills, reading, spelling, and behavior were rated by people who were blind to whether the child was receiving EFAs or placebo.... Read more...

Showing 13-16 of 23 results

Synonyms for omega-3 include: omega 3, omega 3 fatty acids, omega three, omega-3 fatty acids
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