How Essential Fatty Acids Improve Learning and Behavior in Children

THE KIDDOS ARE BACK TO SCHOOL …..

All the parent’s have gotten their littles off to school, another year of Learning…. Learning can for some also bring as issue with behavior, which must be in cooperation for the learning to take place.

Yet some children struggle with squirming, sitting still, they have a hard time staying focused and paying attention. Then the hard part begins, the teacher must explain to the parents that we need to figure something out here. Even the child doesn’t understand why they can’t help any of the above and the parent’s and child anguish, the only answer seems for many to medicate, to bring a calm and quiet…. Yet some experience some unpleasant side-effects.

Well, as luck would have it, guess what I work with? Nutrition, and what does that have to do with any of the above? EVERYTHING… There is much research that shows a link between learning, behavior, concentration and being deficient in certain key nutrients.

Children diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), AND dyslexia often have lower levels of key essential nutritional elements.

They are referred to as essential because they must be provided in the diet because the body cannot consistently make them.

DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid) is a derivative of essential Omega-3,
omega-6 fatty acid derivatives, gamma linolenic acid (GLA), and arachidonic acid (AA)
When children who struggled with hyperactivity, and these were added to the diet, many seem to calm right down.

A strong link between problems with learning and behavior and a lack of certain essential nutritional elements, they found that children who were inattentive, impulsive and hyperactive also lack the same essential nutritional element.

Those struggling with dyslexia tend to have poor dark adaptation , which is a function of the DHA rich rod cells of the retina.

WHY ARE SOME CHILDREN AND ADULTS DEFICIENT IN THIS ESSENTIAL NUTRIENT?

What nutrient…..ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS….Some may get enough of the shorter chain omega-3 and omega 6 fatty acids but they have difficulty converting them into the needed longer chain fatty acids like DHA and AA. There are some factors that inhibit the conversion of EFA to their healthful metabolites

trans fatty acids in the diet (these trans -fats are produced when hydrogen atoms are added to unsaturated fats for improved shelf-life; this process destroys the nutritional value and makes them harmful), viral infections, even stress. Fish oil and evening primrose oil supply these important fats directly.

DHA, THE BRAINS FATTY ACID

DHA’s importance beings in the womb. It is a major fatty acid in the brain of the developing fetus and a primary fatty acid in moms breast milk. DHA comprises as much as 60% of the fatty acids in the retina of the eye.

Evidence is mounting that beast fed infants may do better than their formula-fed counterparts. A study in pediatrics showed that breast-fed infants may have higher intelligence and greater academic achievement than formula-fed infants. The 18-year study compared IQ measurements and rates of high school completion in 1000 children.

DHA may be the missing link. It’s found in breast milk, not always in all formula’s (check the ingredients). The cognitive ability and educational achievement, with it being likely that these increases reflect the effects of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acid levels and particularly Dhal eves on early neurodevelopment. Now mom’s here is another key factor, YOU need to be eating better during the pregnancy and if you are intending to breast feed, not only eat better but consider supplementing with a good source of essential fatty acids.

All is not lost for the mom’s who don’t or can’t breast feed the research done at the University of Milan reported that infants fed DHA-supplemented formula had better brain development and visual acuity than the infants who di not received DHA in their formula. Recommendation is you want a DHA-enriched formula.

Synapse membranes – the junctions between nerve cells – contain high concentrations of DHA and AA and these fatty acids are important for efficient conduction of messages from one nerve cell to another. Which moves me onto the next study….

AGGRESSION and DHA deficiency

These researchers wanted to determine if DHA would have any affect on aggression. At the start of summer vacation 41 students were given either DHA rich oil capsules containing 1.5 -1.8 grams DHA per day) or placebo (97% soybean oil and 3% fish oil). The students took psychological tests at the beginning and end of the study. Like I said they began the study at the start of summer vacation and ended during final exams, which is stressful. In the control group aggression against others was significantly increased at the end of the study as compared with that measured at the start, whereas it was not changed in the DHA group. Thus, DHA helped to prevent Ext aggression from increasing at times of mental stress.

HELPFUL HINT:

fish oil and evening primrose oil as “essential combination….
Fish oil is a quality source of concentrated DHA and Arachidonic Acid (AA). Evening primrose oil contains hefty amounts of Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA) which is an essential fatty acid needed to make AA.

So here are some clean product suggestions: YES, I have an affiliate link, doesn’t everybody today? I’ve been affiliated with this company a tad past 15 years….. www.harvestedhealth.mynsp.com all the below suggestions can be found at my affiliate link

Options:

krill oil with K2 (benefits of K2 addition…. Helps with bone mineralization, healthy teeth and cardiovascular health. Helps regulate calcium by activating osteocalcin, which binds calcium to bones and keeps it out of artery walls. For the kiddos, it’s a good choice especially for teeth.

Super Omega 3 EPA

For those that want a plant based…… Flax Seed oil.

Dr. Jodi Barnett ND

#drjodi #essentialfattyacid #DHA #learningfactors #add #adhd #naturopathicmedicine #nutritionmatters

NOTE: I recommend taking any fat-soluble supplements like K2, DHA, with a meal containing healthy fats, like avocado, salmon, nut butters or yogurts so the body can better absorb the nutrients.

References:

Stordy, Jacqueline B “essential fatty acids and learning disorders. Holistic Health Journal, October 1997
Stevens, Laura J, et al. “essential fatty acid metabolism in boys with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.” Amer.Jnl. Clin. Nutr. 1995, 62 (4) 761-68
Horwood L. John and David M Fergusson “breastfeeding and later cognitive and academic outcomes.” Pediatrics 1998. January 101 (1): e9
Agostoni, Carlo, et al. “Docosahexaenoic acid status and developmental quotient of healthy term infants.” The Lancet 1995. Sept 2. 346:638
Hamazaki, T. et al. “the effect of Docosahexaenoic acid on aggression in young adults: a placebo-controlled double-blind study.” Jnl. Clin. Invest 1996. 97:1129-1133