Free fatty acid supplementation produced small but significant reductions in ADHD symptoms even with probably blinded assessment s , although the clinical significance of these effects remains to be determined .
Artificial food color exclusion produced larger effects but often in individuals selected for food sensitivities .
OBJECTIVE Nonpharmacological treatments are available for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) , although their efficacy remains uncertain .
The authors undertook meta-analyses of the efficacy of dietary ( restricted elimination diets , artificial food color exclusions , and free fatty acid supplementation ) and psychological ( cognitive training , neurofeedback , and behavioral interventions ) ADHD treatments .
Effect of Supplementation with Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Micronutrients on Learning and Behavior Problems Associated with Child ADHD
Methods : Various developmental problems including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) have been linked to biological deficiencies in polyunsaturated fatty acids ( PUFAs ) . Additionally , there is evidence that symptoms may be reduced with PUFA supplementation . This study investigated effects of supplementation with PUFAs on symptoms typically associated with ADHD . Because nutrients work synergistically , additional effects of micronutrient supplementation were also investigated . A total of 132 Australian children aged 7 to 12 years with scores ≥2 SD above the population average on the Conners ADHD Index participated in a r and omized , placebo-controlled , double-blind intervention over 15 weeks , taking PUFAs alone , PUFAs + micronutrients , or placebo . Due to unreturned question naires , data were only available for 104 children . Results : Significant medium to strong positive treatment effects were found on parent ratings of core ADHD symptoms , inattention , hyperactivity/impulsivity , on the Conners Parent Rating Scale ( CPRS ) in both PUFA treatment groups compared with the placebo group ; no additional effects were found with the micronutrients . After a one-way crossover to active supplements in all groups for a further 15 weeks , these results were replicated in the placebo group , and the treatment groups continued to show significant improvements on CPRS core symptoms . No significant effects were found on Conners Teacher Rating Scales . Conclusion : These results add to preliminary findings that ADHD-related problems with inattention , hyperactivity , and impulsivity might respond to treatment with PUFAs and that improvements may continue with supplementation extending to 30 weeks
Free fatty acid supplementation produced small but significant reductions in ADHD symptoms even with probably blinded assessment s , although the clinical significance of these effects remains to be determined .
Artificial food color exclusion produced larger effects but often in individuals selected for food sensitivities .
OBJECTIVE Nonpharmacological treatments are available for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ) , although their efficacy remains uncertain .
The authors undertook meta-analyses of the efficacy of dietary ( restricted elimination diets , artificial food color exclusions , and free fatty acid supplementation ) and psychological ( cognitive training , neurofeedback , and behavioral interventions ) ADHD treatments .