Can fish oil help children with behavior issues? Nutritionists and physicians have long debated the role of dietary modifications as interventions for hyperactive behaviors, sensory integration problems, and attention deficit disorders for some children. In her article Feeling Good about Fish Oil, New York Times health writer Roni Caryn Rabin explores the possible connections between omega-3 fatty acids and reduction in problem behaviors among kids with milder forms of ADHD, autism, sensory integration dysfunction, depression, and even dyslexia.
Use of Complimentary Alternative Medicines (CAMS) such as Omega-3s is not without controversy:
- Controlled and replicated studies of CAMS are limited, and few are regulated or monitored by the US Food and Drug Administration. Consequently, empirical evidence of their effectiveness is spotty. This does not mean that alternative medicines do not work. It just means effectiveness has not been documented, and little is known about how they work.
- Because many CAMS are readily available over-the-counter, and users frequently "self-medicate" without necessarily consulting a physician, which is risky. Alternative medicines may cause negative reactions when taken with other prescription and non-prescription drugs.
- CAMS may have side effects. Omega-3s have been associated with gastrointestinal upset and "fish breath." Further, dosages of many alternative medications have not been established through research.
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