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Complementary, Holistic, and Integrative Medicine

Fish Oils and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Abbreviations: AA: arachidonic acid • ADHD: attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder • ASD: autism spectrum disorder • DCD: developmental coordination disorder • DHA: docosahexaenoic acid • EFA: essential fatty acid • EPA: eicosapentaenoic acid • GLA: gamma-linolenic acid • PCB: polychlorinated biphenyls • PUFA: polyunsaturated fatty acid • RCT: randomized, controlled trial

The first 300 words of the full text of this article appear below.

	Introduction

 
Omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential to human health and development. During the last century, intake of omega-6-rich foods (eg, plant-based oils) increased, while that of omega-3-rich foods (eg, fish and fish oils) decreased. (1)(2) The recommended ratio for dietary intake of omega-6:omega-3 ranges from 4:1 to 7.5:1. (3) The modern western diet is deficient in omega-3 fatty acids; (4) recent data suggest a 17:1 to 25:1 ratio in North America. (5)(6)(7) Evidence suggests that omega-3 deficiencies may play a role in neurodevelopmental disorders, including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dyslexia, dyspraxia, developmental coordination disorder (DCD), and the autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). These conditions are increasingly prevalent in western societies, with estimated prevalence rates of more than 10% in children. (8) Such conditions share a number of features: 1) affected children often experience problems in motor or oculomotor function, language development and proficiency, social skills, and visual and auditory processing; 2) the disorders are disproportionally more prevalent among males; 3) there is substantial comorbidity among the disorders; and 4) the disorders often cluster in families. (7)(8)(9)(10) This review describes the effects of omega-3 fatty acid on the course and outcome of neurodevelopmental disorders.

	Pharmacologic Action

 
The most important omega-3 fatty acids for cognitive development are the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). (7) These essential fatty acids (EFAs) are synthesized in the body from alpha-linolenic acid, but because the conversion process is inefficient, (11)(12) EPA and DHA must be provided by the diet. Known to have anti-inflammatory effects, the omega-3 fatty acids inhibit platelet aggregation (13) and are critical for brain development and function. (7. . . [Full Text of this Article]

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