Research summaries for autism therapy: omega-6

definition of omega-6: Essential fatty acid that is found in most processed oils such as corn oil and peanut oil. Omega-6 fatty acids are critical for brain function and are found in over-abundance in most diets. Excess of omega-6 fatty acids in the diet is thought to contribute to inflammation and other conditions, and possibly autism. Many nutritionists 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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Omega-3/Omega-6 Fatty Acids for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial in Children and Adolescents, Summarized Jul 13, 2009

Omega-3/omega-6 fatty acid supplements may help children with autism and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This article describes a randomized, placebo-controlled study of 75 children and adolescents (8-18 years old) diagnosed with ADHD. Children had ADHD symptoms including poor concentration (attention deficit) and/or hyperactivity. Some of the children had other symptoms in addition to ADHD, including Asperger's and autism-like symptoms. The authors described the autism-like symptoms as deficits in motor control and perception.... Read more...

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.... Most of these studies, however, have been with omega-6 fatty acids as opposed to omega-3 fatty acids. The author notes that increasing the dietary intake of EFAs should be done at the same time that saturated fats in the diet (found in meat and dairy products) are decreased.... 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.... 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...

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Synonyms for omega-6 include: omega 6, omega 6 fatty acids, omega six, omega-6 fatty acids
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