Omega 3 for Depression and ADHD
Filed under: ADHD, Depression, Dr Andrew Stoll, Dr Natalie Sinn, Lifestyle Tips, Omega 3
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Loading ...There are a number of studies that link Omega 3 to improvements with both depression and ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).
But not any old Omega 3 ! … it’s all about the EPA:DHA or EPA/DHA ratios. They need to be high – which is NOT what we normally find in the average Omega 3’s for sale.
Depression
Dr Andrew Stoll at Harvard University has worked with the relationship between high ratio Omega 3 and depression and his work is documented in his book The Omega 3 Connection, which I recommend to all depression sufferers.
The Omega 3 that Stoll worked with has a 7:1 EPA/DHA ratio – which is a very uncommon percentage or ratio. e.g. this high percentage is not available in Australia at this point.
The highest ratio I can find in Australia is the brand “eye q” which has a ratio of 3:1. I personally take this supplement every day – just for general wellbeing. If I were depressed I would take more capsules each day. I think this is definitely worth investigating.
You can also find more information at http://www.sleeplessnomore.com/catalog/depression.html
ADHD
Co-incidentally, that same ‘eye q’ brand of Omega 3 was the subject of study done by Dr Natalie Sinn at the University of South Australia which showed notable improvement in up to 50% of children suffering from ADHD over a 30 week period using high EPA fish oil. More study is being done in this area. (So note, it doesn’t look like a quick fix, but a lifestyle change.)
A reference to this work is found at:
http://www.unisa.edu.au/news/2007/200607.asp
and on the page http://www.sleeplessnomore.com/catalog/hyperactivity.html
And here’s Dr Natalie Sinn in her TV interview, if you like video http://today.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=815305
How do you Calculate the EPA/DHA Ratio? … if maths isn’t your game?
Before purchasing Omega 3 have a look at the label on the pack (we’re doing more of that now aren’t we?).
The label will show a mg content for both EPA (Eicosapentaenoic Acid) and DHA (Docosahexaenoic Acid). You divide the EPA mg number by the DHA mg number to find the ratio. The normal ratio is 1.5:1 (or one and a half to one) like 300 mg and 200 mg – even in “high potency” Omega 3. What you are looking for is 3:1 up to 7:1. In some countries products are avalable in 5:1 and 7:1 – but not Australia, yet.
If you do find availablility information email me and I’ll post it up here.
On the eye q brand the numbers are: EPA 92 mg, DHA 28mg – divide EPA by DHA = 92/28 = 3.28 – actually slightly higher than 3:1 – even better!
Don’t get put off by 1200 mg… or any bigger numbers on the side… do the calculation if you want to know whether it will make this difference… and just vary the number of capsules you take of it to get a good intake.
Hope this helps
Elizabeth
Tags: ADHD, adolescents, aid sleep, black dog, can t sleep, cant sleep, children, Depression, Dr Andrew Stoll, Dr Natalie Sinn, early wakeup, EPA:DHA, eye q, eyeq, feeling down, hyperactivity, insomnia, natural, Omega 3, Sleep, sleep aids, sleep deprivation, sleep disorder, sleep disorders, sleep problems, sleeping, supplementation, supplements, waking too early
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