Change of diet ‘could help children with disorders’

A SIMPLE diet change could help children with autism, dyspraxia and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a seminar heard yesterday.

World renowned expert on the link between diet and human behaviour, Dr Alex Richardson said the increased consumption of fatty oils could have a positive effect on a number of disorders.

A Senior Research Fellow at Oxford University, Dr Richardson called for greater funding for research on the effect of Omega 3 fatty acids on many increasingly common childhood disorders and adult psychiatric problems like depression, schizophrenia and bi-polar disorder.

“There has been a huge change in people’s diets, with people eating more meat, dairy and processed foods. Years ago, man ate equal amounts of Omega 3 oils and Omega 6 oils but now we eat 15 times more omega 6,” Dr Richardson said, addressing an audience in Limerick.

She referred to a study completed by a Dr Bernard Gesch on 231 inmates at an Ailesbury Young Offenders Institute in Britain where participants were given a multi vitamin tablet and fatty acids daily.

Following the trial, they detected a 26% reduction in anti-social behaviour and a 35% reduction in violent behaviour

Dr Richardson is currently completing a groundbreaking British study into the effects of fish oil on dyspraxic children in Britain and early research looks promising.

“We need much more research in this whole area. The problem is that there is profit out of food and hence a lack of research in the area compared to that carried out into pharmaceutical solutions.”

Omega 3 is found in oily fish and can also be found in green vegetables and flaxoil but this is a simple version of the compound which the body must then develop into the complex Omega 3.

Salmon, mackerel, herring, sardines, pilchards and fresh tuna are the best source of Omega 3 which is rich in Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA).

EPA is vital for the proper chemical functioning of the brain, mediating hormones, the immune system and blood flow.

Further details on ongoing research in this area can be accessed at the Food and Behaviour Research website at http://www.fabresearch.org