Relationships between Omega-3 and ADHD

It is estimated that there are more than 40,000 children and teenagers suffering from ADHD in Hong Kong, and the general treatment methods are mainly drugs and behavioral therapy. Medications can suppress children’s activity levels and impulsive behaviors, and behavioral therapy can reduce the chance of children developing rebellious behaviors.

In recent years, many large-scale studies have found that children’s intake of Omega-3 fatty acids has a very high correlation with the prevalence of ADHD. According to research, children with ADHD have much lower amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids in their bodies than children without the disease. In recent years, more and more studies have found that appropriate supplementation of fish oil in children with ADHD may improve the patients’ concentration and alertness.

The adult brain is approximately 50-60% lipids, of which approximately 35% are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), with DHA and AA having the highest concentrations. These fatty acids are very important in the development of the central nervous system. Essential fatty acids (EFA) and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) are the main components of all cell membranes and are critical to the function of cell membranes, affecting the performance of receptors, transporters and ion channels, and participating in signal transmission.

DHA, in particular, plays an important role in neuronal stability, differentiation, and synapse formation, and also helps maintain membrane fluidity. Additionally, omega fatty acids and their metabolites play a key role in regulating inflammation. The balance between DHA, EPA, and AA affects the production of inflammation-promoting and regulatory molecules. A healthy inflammatory response is important because long-term neuroinflammation can lead to neuronal damage. Studies have shown that the pathogenesis of ADHD is related to the inflammatory process. Therefore, a lack of these essential fatty acids can have significant consequences throughout the lifespan.

A growing body of research shows that many children with learning and behavioral difficulties, especially those with ADHD, are deficient in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. Adolescents with ADHD had lower blood levels of essential fatty acids compared to controls, specifically lower levels of EPA and DHA.

This deficiency may be associated with metabolic abnormalities, specifically with the FADS-1 and FADS-2 genes located on human chromosome 11. These genes encode desaturases (delta-6 and delta-5) that convert essential fatty acids (such as alpha-linolenic acid [ALA]) into higher polyunsaturated fatty acids (such as EPA and DHA). Variations in different gene alleles may lead to differences in the efficiency of these enzymes, affecting the metabolism of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids, thereby affecting central nervous system health.

Studies have shown that these metabolic differences are masked when consuming ALA, EPA, and DHA. The adult brain is about 50-60% lipids, of which about 35% are polyunsaturated fatty acids, with the highest concentrations of DHA and AA. These fatty acids play an important role in the development of the central nervous system. Essential fatty acids and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are major components of all cell membranes and are critical to membrane function and signaling.

DHA, in particular, has important effects on neuronal homeostasis and developmental processes such as neuronal differentiation, synapse formation, and membrane fluidity. In addition, Omega fatty acids and their metabolites also play a key role in regulating inflammation. The balance between DHA, EPA, and AA affects the production of inflammation-promoting and regulatory molecules. A healthy inflammatory response is critical because long-term neuroinflammation can lead to neuronal damage. Research suggests that the pathogenesis of ADHD is related to inflammatory processes and that a lack of these essential fatty acids may have significant negative consequences throughout life.