Brain friendly supplements
ESSENTIAL FATTY ACIDS, OMEGA 3&6
Omega 3 and 6 are required for brain development and good brain function. Children taking omega 3’s and 6’s generally have:
Decrease hyperactivity
Enhanced learning
Improve Behaviour and moods
Reduce clumsiness
Better Immune response (need fewer antibiotics)
One sign that commonly suggests children are not getting enough essential fatty acids is dry skin, especially on the elbows, dandruff and soft or brittle nails.
They are described as essential, like vitamins, they must be obtained from the diet. Good food sources are: oily fish, nuts and seeds such as linseed and sunflower seeds. It is however very difficult to get enough through diet alone.
There are many different types of omegas 3 & 6 fatty acids on the market. We recommend fish oil rather than cod liver oil, as cod liver oil may contain very high levels of vitamin A and D as well as pollutants or toxins. We recommend only taking the oils that have been purified.
Professor Basant Puri, a consultant of Hammersmith hospital, has researched the effects of the individual acids that make up the omega 3&6. His research has concluded that high levels of EPA combined with very low or no DHA are very beneficial to the functioning of the nervous system. The levels of EPA and DHA should be displayed on the label. The best in the high street shops is Eye Q with 180mg of EPA.
We think the best capsules on the market are VegEPA. They are highly purified and contain no pollutants; only pharmaceutical-grade ultra pure concentrated fish oil (EPA) and cold pressed, virgin evening primrose oil (EPO). They are the only ones we know of with no DHA and they have 280mg EPA per capsule. For more information visit www.igennus.com
ZINC SULPHATE
New research has shown that zinc sulphate enhances the action of the essential fatty acids both in the building of the nerve cell membrane and in the manufacture of certain nerve chemicals.
The authors of one study stated “Zinc supplements may exert their positive effects by helping to regulate the function of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Dopamine signalling, which has been implicated in causing symptoms of ADHD, is believed to play an important role in the feelings of pleasure and reward.”
This pleasure area is thought to be the main reason why so many children with Developmental Delay Syndromes crave junk food and establish a carbohydrate diet for themselves thus fueling their addiction. This seeming addiction to sugars and the high intake of E numbers complicates and perpetuates the underlying neurological disorder.
Currently, based on research from different parts of the globe it is suggested that adding zinc sulphate to the daily administration of omega 3 & 6 (essential fatty acids) enhances the action of Ritalin or may even be used in its place.
This is very exciting news as at present there is a great deal of concern about the use of Ritalin and the long-term effects it may have. As zinc is a normal part of our diet and as far as we know has no side-effects apart from a metallic taste in the mouth and nausea in some cases, this may prove to be a valuable aid in the treatment of the symptoms of ADHD.
